answersLogoWhite

0

Its a simple fact that in order to live we have to get oxygen into our blood. To this effect we inhale air into our lungs. But that in itself is not enough. Somehow the body has to get the oxygen that is in the air into our blood and in sufficient quatity. To do this our lungs have, over millenia evolved. each lung contains millions of liitle air sacs that look like bunches of grapes. These little air sacs are called alveoli. They act to increase the surface area of each lung and therefore increase the amount of blood that can absorb oxygen in one breath.

Together, the millions of alveoli of the lungs form a surface of more than 100 square meters. Within the alveolar walls is a dense network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. The extremely thin barrier between air in our lungs and the capillaries allows oxygen to move from air in the alveoli into the blood and allows carbon dioxide to move from the blood in the capillaries into the alveoli. Without them the lungs would have to be many times larger than they actually are to absorb the amount of oxygen the body needs.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the name of the tiny hairs that filter dust and germs out of the air entering the respiratory system?

Cilia are the tiny hairs that sweep dust and dirt out of the respiratory system.


What does much part function in respiratory system?

Your question is unclear. Are you asking what does the most in the respiratory system , then tiny little sacs called the alveoli do.


What is the part of the respiratory system that has tiny air bags?

ok, think of your lungs as a cluster of grapes hanging upside down. The smallest branches are called bronchioles . At the end of each bronchiole is an "air sac" called alveoli .


How the insect respiratory system works?

The insect respiratory system operates by passive exchange of gasses through tiny holes called spiracles in their abdomen.


Air travels through the respiratory system to tiny sacs called?

alveoli


Which body system absorbs oxygen?

The respiratory system absorbs oxygen. Oxygen is inhaled through the nose and mouth, passes through the trachea, and enters the lungs where it is absorbed into the bloodstream through tiny air sacs called alveoli.


Alveolar ducts alveolar sacs terminal bronchioles respiratory bronchioles bronchi bronchioles What is the order from largest to smallest?

The respiratory looks like an upside down tree, from the trunk to the branches and to fruit (such as an apple). From largest to smallest, the respiratory system consists of the throat to main bronchi, to bronchioles, to terminal bronchioles, to alveolar ducts, to alveolar sacs (aveoli look like tiny grapes).


How does the respiratory system operate?

As you breathe through your nose, it will go through the windpipe and into your lungs. It will go through tiny holes in the lungs. The wastes will get out from the tiny holes into your windpipe and you breathe them out.


What are the tiny tubes that carry the secretions of glands to the areas that need them?

The tiny tubes that carry the secretions of glands to the areas that need them are called ducts. These ducts can be found in various parts of the body, such as the digestive system, respiratory system, and reproductive system.


System that exchanges oxygen?

The respiratory system exchanges oxygen by inhaling air through the nose or mouth, where oxygen is taken into the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream. Carbon dioxide, a waste product, is then expelled by exhaling air out of the lungs. This exchange occurs in the alveoli, tiny air sacs in the lungs where the transfer of gases takes place.


How is a birds bones tied with the respiratory system?

A birds bones has tiny air sacks throughout them. All of the sacks are connected to the lungs.


What is a bronchules?

some things that are part of the lungs and respiratory system