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The lungs are the part of the respiratory system where the exchange of gases from the outside are made with the body. The basis of the system is that gases will move across a permeable surface in proportion to their relative concentrations. Sounds too formal? Well, think of how a dot of dye fades as it spreads in water.

In the case of the lungs oxygen in the atmosphere accounts for about 20% of the ambient gas. Since metabolism consumes oxygen the concentration of oxygen in the body is less than that, so the net movement of oxygen is from the air into the body. Similarly carbon dioxide, the result of metabolism, is greater within the body than in the surrounding air. In the lung the net movement of carbon dioxide is from the lung to the exhaled air.

This really is a great subject. For example the disease black lung that coal miners suffer from is due to coal dust mediated changes to the lung tissue that decrease permeability. Since the movement of oxygen is dependent on the concentration difference and permeability people with black lung are in oxygen starved. The mirror image is going up to the top of a high mountain where the concentration of oxygen is too low. There you are oxygen starved not because of a permeability change, but due to a decrease in the concentration difference.

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