What is gas exchange?

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the bloodstream and the atmosphere.


Oxygen passes from the atmosphere to the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide passes from the bloodstream to the atmosphere

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What part of the respiratory system is indicated in the diagram above?

Trachea

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What part of the respiratory system is indicated in the diagram above?

Bronchus


(plural of bronchus is 'bronchi')

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What part of the respiratory system is indicated in the diagram above?

Bronchiole


(plural of bronchiole is 'bronchioles')

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What part of the respiratory system is indicated in the diagram above?

Alveolus


(plural of alveolus is 'alveoli')

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How are alveoli adapted to their function?

  1. Their walls are only one cell thick which provides a short distance for diffusion.
  2. There are many of them, giving a large total surface area.
  3. They are moist, which allows the gases to dissolve and therefore diffuse more easily.
  4. They have a good blood supply and a good air supply, which maintains the concentration gradient. 

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What is the name of the process by which oxygen moves through the wall of the alveoli, into the blood?

Diffusion.

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What happens to oxygen once it enters the bloodstream?

It diffuses into red blood cells and binds to haemoglobin.

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What is the formula for calculating breathing rate?

Breathing rate = number of breaths / time (in minutes)

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