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Describe how atmospheric and alveolar air differ in composition and explain the differences?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Atmospheric (external) air contains a high percentage of oxygen and nitrogen whereas alveoli gas contains a lower percentage of oxygen and a higher percentage of carbon dioxide. The differences in composition are due to the fact that gaseous exchange is taking place within the alveoli in the lungs. Oxygen is diffusing from the alveoli into the pulmonary artery and carbon dioxide is diffusing back into the alveoli from the pulmonary artery due to the concentration gradients. This is the main reason why external air and alveolar gas have such different compositions.
Another reason why the gas compositions are different is due to the fact that alveoli gas contains a mixture of both atmospheric air which has been inhaled and 'old' air which stays in the respiratory track and is not exhaled after each breath therefore giving it a different composition.
Alveolar gas has a larger percentage of water vapour than atmospheric air due to the fact that air is being warmed and moistened as it travels into the respiratory track. This is done by the mucus in the nasal cavity as the air travels past it.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Is Alveolar PCO2 identical to atmospheric PCO2?
No, it is higher or the CO2 would not move out of the lungs.
What is the adjective for alveolus?
The adjective for alveolus (singular) or alveoli (plural) is alveolar.
When intraalveolar pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure what happens?
intrapleural pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure, but lungs don't collapse because intra-alveolar pressure increases, too (4 mmHg pressure gradient stays same)
Explain the functional importance of the partial vacuum that exists in the intrapleural space?
If not present (and the intra-alveolar pressure equaled atmospheric pressure) the lungs would collapse.
Describe the structure of a terminal bronchiole and its alveolar sac?
terminal brobchiole is formed as a result of division of respiratory bronchiole. It is extremely thin and end up into alveolar sac ALVEOLAR SAC THESE ARE SMALL SACS WITH 8 TO 10 SACCULES CALLES ALVEOLI. IT HAS CENTRAL AIR PASSAGE. THESE ALVEOLI SERVE AS RESPIRATORY MEMBRANE AND HELP IN EXCHANGE OF GASES
What produces surfactant?
type II alveolar cells
Is Alveolar recoil lead to a decrease in intr-alveolar pressure?
NO
What is alveolar macrophages also known as?
Alveolar macrophages, aka DUST CELLS.
What keeps the surface between the air and the alveolar cells moist in the lung?
alveolar fluid
What is pulmonary alveolar proteinosis?
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease of the lungs.
Which artery is behind the ramus with five branches?
Inferior alveolar artery
The exchange of gases between alveolar air and blood is due to?
it diffuses thru the alveolar cappilary membrane
