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There are millions of alveoli in the lungs they provide a very large surface area why is a large surface area necessary?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
By having millions of these tiny sacs, the surface area of the lungs is vastly increased. This adaprtation enables a greater volume of air to breathed in, in each breath. An increased surface area allows for more diffusion to take place between the lungs and the blood.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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 many indentations within the lung act to increase the surface area in the volume occupied by the lungs."
To improve on the previous answer, the larger the surface area compared to the volume (or size) of the cell, the faster the rate of diffusion through the cell membrane. So with a larger surface area, more particles can diffuse in and out of the cell and at a faster rate for the same volume of cell.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe alveoli have special adaptation that have made them very efficient for gas exchange.
- They are rounded, giving them a larger surface area than any other shape
- They are millions (150 million) of alveoli per lung to increase the total surface area for gas exchange
- The membrane between an alveolus and it neighbouring capillaries (called the respiratory membrane or alveoli-capillary membrane) is very thin, creating a very short diffusion distance for gases)
- The epithelium of alveoli contains a thin layer of moisture on the inside to allow for gases to first diffuse into the moisture and then pass through the membrane
- Each alveolar sac is surrounded by a dense network of capillaries
Gas exchange is by diffusion from the gas contents in the lungs to the blood vessels in the pulmonary aveolus. The many indentations within the lung act to increase the surface area in the volume occupied by the lungs.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe alveoli are essential for gas exchange in the lungs, and one of the adaptations for effective diffusion of gases is to have a large surface area. This means that by increasing the surface area, the more area the gas has to diffuse through, and therefore the more gas exchange that can take place.
Hope this helps - doing A -level Biology :)
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe alveoli increase the surface area of the lungs so gases can diffuse across it faster for a quicker rate of respiration.
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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.
What provide the greatest surface area for gas exchange?
Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs.
What are the sacs called in the repiratory system?
The air sacks which provide the surface through which gas exchange occurs are called alveoli.
Why is 300 million alveoli in one pair of lungs?
The large number of alveoli increases the surface area over which gas exchange can occur, allowing the blood to become oxygenated more quickly.
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.
Why do alveoli die in emphysema?
Destruction of alveoli reduces the surface area for gas exchange
Explain why there is so much surface area is needed in the lungs?
To make room for millions, if not billions, of alveoli, small air sacs used to capture air to be dissolved into your blood.
The surface tension exerted by water in the alveoli prevent collapse of the alveoli during exhalation?
False
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 name of the respiratory surface in humans?
It is the lining of the alveoli that acts as our respiratory surface.
Organelle has a large amount of surface area?
The Alveoli
Reduces the surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli?
surfactant
