Aveoli
It is the tiny sac like structure present in the lungs which the gaseous exchange takes place.
Alveoli are tiny air sacs located in the lungs where gas exchange takes place. They play a crucial role in the respiratory system by allowing oxygen from the air we breathe to enter the bloodstream and carbon dioxide, a waste product produced during cellular respiration, to be eliminated from the body.
The walls of the alveoli are made up of a single layer of flattened cells called squamous epithelial cells, which are in direct contact with the capillaries where gas exchange occurs. The alveoli are surrounded by a network of blood vessels, which allow for the exchange of gases to occur through a process called diffusion. Oxygen molecules move from the alveoli into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide molecules move from the bloodstream into the alveoli to be exhaled.
The lungs contain millions of alveoli, with a total surface area of approximately 70 square meters, which makes them highly efficient in gas exchange. However, exposure to certain environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and respiratory infections can damage the alveoli and lead to respiratory diseases such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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