Alveoli
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Alveoli are small air sacs in the lungs which are specially adapted for gas exchange.
Adaptations of Alveoli
- The alveoli have thin walls to allow gas exchange to happen quickly.
- Alveoli are in groups to make a large surface area in the lung for gas exchange.
- The alveoli have a good blood supply to allow gas exchange with the blood.
- The walls of the alveoli are kept moist to allow gases to dissolve into to the fluid for gas exchange with the blood.
About Alveoli
- The alveoli are where Oxygen enters the blood and Carbon Dioxide leaves the blood.
- There are thousands of alveoli in each lung.
- Alveoli are found at the end of bronchioles.
 |
| A diagram showing a single alveolus with the Oxygen going into the blood and Carbon Dioxide leaving the blood. |
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Alveoli are small air sacs in the lungs which are specially adapted for gas exchange.
Adaptations of Alveoli
- The walls of the alveoli separating the air from the blood are very thin allowing gases to diffuse quickly.
- The blood supply to the alveoli is very good to constantly supply of blood with little Oxygen and a lot of Carbon Dioxide keeping a high concentration gradient.
- The walls of the alveoli are kept moist to allow gases to dissolve into to the fluid for gas exchange with the blood.
About Alveoli
- The alveoli are where Oxygen enters the blood and Carbon Dioxide leaves the blood.
- There are thousands of alveoli in each lung.
- Alveoli are found at the end of bronchioles.
|
| A diagram showing a single alveolus with the Oxygen going into the blood and Carbon Dioxide leaving the blood. |
References
AQA
- Alveoli, page 24, 33, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA'
- Alveoli, page 313, GCSE Chemistry; Student Book, Collins, AQA'
- Alveoli, pages 21, 29, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA'
- Alveoli, pages 23, 55, 61, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA'
- Alveoli, pages 30, 31, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA'
- Alveoli, pages 58, 59, 71, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA'
- Alveoli, pages 64, 65, 77, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA'
- Alveolus, alveoli, pages 107, 118-9, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA'
Edexcel
- Alveoli, page 113, GCSE Combined Science, Pearson Edexcel
- Alveoli, page 163, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel
- Alveoli, page 60, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel
- Alveoli, page 88, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel
- Alveoli, pages 260, 261, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel