What are 3 ways in which the structure of alveoli fit its functions?

Question

Bio homework- I can only find one way: its surface area is great so it can 'diffuse?' more oxygen+carbon dioxide. Ahh what else? Its membrane is thin so it allows diffusion to be easier??

Answer 1

1) alveolar surrounded by huge NETWORK of [one cell-thick] capillaries, allows O2 > alveolar wall > capillary wall > bloodstream [and CO2 vice versa]
2) millions of capillaries = large SURFACE AREA [usual quote = surface area of a tennis court] allows maximum O2 transfer to the body [and CO2 vice versa]

plus yours and that's 3). Good homework for all physiology and human biology at source below.

Answer 2

Alveoli The alveoli are the final branchings of the respiratory tree and act as the primary gas exchange units of the lung. The gas-blood barrier between the alveolar space and the pulmonary capillaries is extremely thin, allowing for rapid gas exchange. To reach the blood, oxygen must diffuse through the alveolar epithelium, a thin interstitial space, and the capillary endothelium; CO2 follows the reverse course to reach the alveoli. There are two types of alveolar epithelial cells. Type I cells have long cytoplasmic extensions which spread out thinly along the alveolar walls and comprise the thin alveolar epithelium. Type II cells are more compact and are responsible for producing surfactant, a phospholipid which lines the alveoli and serves to differentially reduce surface tension at different volumes, contributing to alveolar stability.

Answer 3

1)The small hairs on the villi allow it to work faster and diffuses much quicker.
2)It has a large surface area so its work can be carried out quickly.
3)The membrane is very thin so diffusion occurs much quicker than it would if the membrane was thicker.

They should be about right. I'm only after doing my biology module and I got an A* so I can't be that wrong.

Answer 4

OK so far, so good - you have the shape maximising surface area, and the the thin membrane allowing diffusion. OK what else is there about alveoli that fits gaseous exchange? a)What are they wrapped in? (clue, transports O2 and CO2 around body)
b)What coats them that makes diffusion easier? (another Yahoo above me respondant has mentioned this)

Answer 5

Yep, thin cell layer - faster diffusion and the last on I think is that it has a layer of surfactant fluid to allow the gases to dissolve easier and to stop the alveoli collapsing

Answer 6

have a look at wiki - it seems to give lots of information, as well as graphics.

Hope it helps!!!