answersLogoWhite

0

The alveoli are like plump grapes that are empty inside. They need the plump surface area for capillaries to wrap around them, so Red Blood Cells can trade oxygen molecules for carbon dioxide molecules. But in emphysema, the alveoli collapse. Surface area shrinks. The person cannot get good O2. The body starts to rely on increased CO2 (rather than low O2) to regulate when to breathe.

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

What else can I help you with?