How are the human lungs specialised for gas exchange?

Gas exchange is when oxygen is transferred from the air in the lungs to the blood and carbon dioxide is transferred from the blood to the air in the lungs. It occurs in the alveoli of the lungs.The lungs have 5 main specialisations to allow efficient gas exchange:1. A large surface area for more gas exchange to occur over.2. A moist surface to dissolve gases and increase their rate of diffusion.3. Thin walls so that gases diffuse over a shorter distance.4. A large blood supply so that steep concentration gradients for carbon dioxide and oxygen to diffuse down are maintained. 5. Ventilation through breathing to remove carbon dioxde and bring in new oxygen. This helps maintain steep concentration gradients for both gases. 

Answered by Anna D. Biology tutor

21804 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What are the best strategies/ ways of helping me revise?


What is the difference between an ectotherm and an endotherm?


Describe the structure of a plant and explain it's functions. (6 marks)


Describe how water is carried by the transpiration stream. (3 marks)


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