BRAINCAKEMechanism of Breathing
Ventilating the lungs maintains the diffusion gradient across the alveolar epithelium by refreshing the air inside the alveoli.
Air, like other fluids, moves from a region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure.
The flow of air into the lungs requires that a pressure gradient between the atmosphere and the alveoli be established.
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Key terms in this lesson
- diffusion
- The net passive movement of molecules or ions from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration, down a concentration gradient.
- alveolus
- A tiny, thin-walled air sac in the lungs, surrounded by capillaries, that is the site of gas exchange.
More in Exchange of Gases
- Limiting Water Loss in Insects
- Limiting Water Loss in Plants
- The Human Gas Exchange System
- The Lungs
- Inspiration
- Expiration
- Alveoli
- Role of Alveoli in Gas Exchange
All 28 lessons in Exchange of Gases · All AQA AS-level Biology topics