Gas exchange in the alveoli happens mainly through a process called diffusion. Here’s how this works in simple terms:
Concentration Gradient: Oxygen (O₂) moves from areas where there's a lot of it (in the alveoli) to areas where there's less (in the blood). On the other hand, carbon dioxide (CO₂) does the opposite. It moves from the blood to the alveoli.
Thin Barrier: The walls of the alveoli and capillaries are super thin—only about 0.2 to 0.5 micrometers thick. This helps gases pass through easily.
Surface Area: Adults have about 70 square meters of alveoli, which is a large area. This makes it easier for the air and blood to make contact and exchange gases.
Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio: The air that gets to the alveoli (ventilation) matches well with the blood flow in the capillaries (perfusion). This balance helps gas exchange happen more effectively.
All of these processes work together to help our bodies get enough oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide easily.
Gas exchange in the alveoli happens mainly through a process called diffusion. Here’s how this works in simple terms:
Concentration Gradient: Oxygen (O₂) moves from areas where there's a lot of it (in the alveoli) to areas where there's less (in the blood). On the other hand, carbon dioxide (CO₂) does the opposite. It moves from the blood to the alveoli.
Thin Barrier: The walls of the alveoli and capillaries are super thin—only about 0.2 to 0.5 micrometers thick. This helps gases pass through easily.
Surface Area: Adults have about 70 square meters of alveoli, which is a large area. This makes it easier for the air and blood to make contact and exchange gases.
Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio: The air that gets to the alveoli (ventilation) matches well with the blood flow in the capillaries (perfusion). This balance helps gas exchange happen more effectively.
All of these processes work together to help our bodies get enough oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide easily.