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Gas exchange in the lungs - Coggle Diagram
Gas exchange in the lungs
Structure
Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
Millions of alveoli present
large surface area
thin walls (only 1 cell thick)
rich blood supply
Alveolar capillary membrane
Ventilation (breathing)
Inhalation
Diaphragm contracts and flattens
ribs move up and out
Pressure decreases
chest cavity volume increases
Exhalation
Diaphragm and rib muscles relax
Chest cavity volume decreases
Pressure increases
ribs move down and in
Exchanged substances
Oxygen enters the blood
Carbon dioxide leaves the blood
Site of exchange
Alveoli and capillaries
across the thin alveolar capillary membrane
Factors affecting rate of exchange
surface area
membrane thickness
ventilation rate
blood flow
partial pressure gradient
temperature
Conditions for efficient exchange
moist surface
thin membrane
large surface area
rich blood supply
Passive process
moves from high concentration to low concentration
Aim/Result
Converting deoxygenated blood to oxygenated blood
Breathing out carbon dioxide into the atmosphere