How are the lungs specialised for exchanging gases?

The lungs are made up of many air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli have many folds which create a large surface area.  The larger the surface area, the greater the area of alveolar cell membrane available for gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse across. Therefore the lungs will be able to exchange greater quantities of gases, in the same amount of time, than organs with a lower surface area and therefore will be better at exchanging gases. 

Answered by Laura A. Biology tutor

2359 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Give a basic overview of the of the digestive system.


What is a synapse?


Explain the effect of temperature and pH on enzyme-catalysed reactions:


What is an autotroph?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences