answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The function of alveuli is to provide a surface for gas exchange. Therefore, a large surface area means that there is a lot of area for the gas exchange to take place. Therefore it is to improve efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs (exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen).

The large surface area is due to the shape of the alveoli- the have many small "pockets".

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Gas exchange is by diffusion from the gas contents in the lungs to the blood vessels in the pulmonary aveolus. The large surface area provides a large area for the gases to diffuse across so this speeds up the process of respiration.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

Alveoli (plural) are numerous, plus have thousands of small capillaries surrounding each one. Gas exchange occurs between those bloods vessels and the alveoli. The RBC's hemoglobin pick up O2 in the lungs and transfers the O2 into the alveoli. CO2 is released into the lungs so it can be expelled. The numerous alveloi increases the surface area where this exchange can take place. If an alveoli collapses, as they do in some chronic lung conditions, it reduces the overall surface area and lowers how much gas exchange that occurs for that person.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

To better aid in the critical job of gas exchange. That is also why they utilize simple squamous as their preferred cell type Less cells to go through to exchange Oxygen and carbon dioxide.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

It helps gas exchange- rate of exchange is directly proportional to area.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Statistics vary depending on the source, but it is believed that the average human has around six hundred million alveoli, giving a total surface area of approximately 100m2

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

Alveoli are sacs that serve as gas exchangers; all other parts of respiratory system serve as air distributors. We need as much surface area as possible.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

ftgykk

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is there large surface area for the alveoli?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Why do mammals have large numbers of alveoli?

There are about 300 million alveoli in each of your lungs. These tiny air sacs provide an ideal site for the diffusion of gases into and out of the blood.The alveoli have a very large surface area. In fact if all of the alveoli in your lungs were spread out flat they would cover the area of a tennis court. This large surface area is the result of all the alveoli being small spheres. It is another example of the importance of the surface area: volume ratio.


What is the smallest function unit of respiratory system?

The smallest functional unit of respiratory system is alveoli. Gaseous exchange takes place here. * The alveoli are attached to bronchules. * bronchules to bronchus. * bronchus to trachea the windpipe.


What structure is adapted for the diffusion of gases?

The lungs have been adapted especially for making gas exchange more efficient. They are made up of clusters of alveoli, which are tiny air sacs with large surface areas, and are kept moist. They also have a rich blood supply, which maintains a concentration gradient in both directions. Carbon dioxide constantly being removed from the blood and oxygen constantly entering the lungs means that gas exchange happens at the highest concentration gradients to make it rapid and effective.


What cause the difference in the amount of air you inhale and exhale?

Lungs alveoli has very large surface area, about 100 square meters. So air is fully saturated with water vapor and so it is more in amount.


Which will dissolve faster a substance with little surface area or the one with a large surface area?

One with a large surface area because the solvent will be able to dissolve more solute simultaneously.

Related questions

Organelle has a large amount of surface area?

The Alveoli


What organelle has a large amount of surface area?

The Alveoli


What do alveoli have that enables them to absorb a large amount of oxygen?

A large surface area


What organ does oxygen pass from into the capillaries?

I believe its the alveoli in the lungs. These alveoli provide a large surface area for gaseous exchange.


How does the structure of the alveoli relate to its function in the lung?

Alveoli are similar to cells in the sense that they have a large surface area to volume ratio. This is advantageous since they depend on there surface to allow as much oxygen as possible to diffuse through. Therefore, the correct answer would be something like this : Since alveoli's have a large surface area to volume ratio, it oxygen to diffuse through. More oxygen can be absorbed. If the alveoli had a smaller surface area to volume ratio, it would be very difficult for oxygen to diffuse through. Therefore, it is advantageous for the alveoli to be small in volume, but great in surface area.


How the structure of the alveoli relate to its function in the lungs?

Alveoli are similar to cells in the sense that they have a large surface area to volume ratio. This is advantageous since they depend on there surface to allow as much oxygen as possible to diffuse through. Therefore, the correct answer would be something like this : Since alveoli's have a large surface area to volume ratio, it oxygen to diffuse through. More oxygen can be absorbed. If the alveoli had a smaller surface area to volume ratio, it would be very difficult for oxygen to diffuse through. Therefore, it is advantageous for the alveoli to be small in volume, but great in surface area.


How does the structure of the alveoli relate to the structure of the lungs?

Alveoli are similar to cells in the sense that they have a large surface area to volume ratio. This is advantageous since they depend on there surface to allow as much oxygen as possible to diffuse through. Therefore, the correct answer would be something like this : Since alveoli's have a large surface area to volume ratio, it oxygen to diffuse through. More oxygen can be absorbed. If the alveoli had a smaller surface area to volume ratio, it would be very difficult for oxygen to diffuse through. Therefore, it is advantageous for the alveoli to be small in volume, but great in surface area.


Adaptive feature of trachea and alveoli?

Trachea have cartillage rings which support it. And the Alveoli has large surface area for diffusion and its moist and thin.


Where in the lungs does gas exchange happen?

AlveoliGaseous exchange takes place in the alveoli of the lung


Why do mammals have large numbers of alveoli?

There are about 300 million alveoli in each of your lungs. These tiny air sacs provide an ideal site for the diffusion of gases into and out of the blood.The alveoli have a very large surface area. In fact if all of the alveoli in your lungs were spread out flat they would cover the area of a tennis court. This large surface area is the result of all the alveoli being small spheres. It is another example of the importance of the surface area: volume ratio.


Why is surface area of alveoli in lungs is greater than the surface area of the skin?

The surface area of the alveoli is where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged across membranes. A large surface area enables a greater amount of gas transfer. The skin has two main functions: one is holding all our bits in one place and the other is to maintain body temerature. In the latter role, a large surface area is good for cooling the body but bad for keeping warm. So it is a compromise.


What is the part of alveoli in our body?

There are about 300 million alveoli in each of your lungs. These tiny air sacs provide an ideal site for the diffusion of gases into and out of the blood - also known as gaseous exchange. The alveoli have a very large surface area - in fact if all of the alveoli in your lungs were spread out flat they would cover the area of a tennis court. This large surface area is the result of all the alveoli being small spheres - it is another example of the importance of the surface area- to-volume ratio. If your lungs were simply two large balloon-like structures, the surface area wouldn't be big enough for you to get enough oxygen by diffusion to supply the needs of your cells. But each alveolus is a very tiny sphere. The smaller the radius of a sphere, the bigger the relative surface area - halving the radius increases the relative surface area by a factor of four. The millions of tiny alveoli in the human lungs are a very effective adaptation which provides a huge surface area for gaseous exchange into and out of the blood. The alveoli have a good air supply from the bronchioles and a rich blood supply. This is vital for successful gaseous exchange because it maintains a steep concentration gradient for oxygen from the air in the alveoli to the blood, and for carbon dioxide from the blood to the alveoli.