Exchange of gases in the lungs

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Roles of alveoli in gas exchange:

  • Site of gas exchange in mammals is the epithelium of the alveoli
  • Each alveolus is lined with epithelial cells only 0.5 to 0.3 micrometers thick
  • Around each alveolus is a network of pulmonary capillaries, so narrow (7-10 micrometers) that red blood cells are flattened against the thin capillary walls in order to squeeze through
  • These capillaries have walls that are only a single layer of cells thick

Diffusion of gases between the alveoli and

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