Changes

{{toplink

{{OpenPagesTop}}

}}

 

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The air in the alveoli is renewed regularly, thanks to the [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology|ventilation]] process. Gas Exchange in the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lungs]] takes place between the blood in the capillary network surrounding the alveoli, and the air in the alveoli itself.  

The air in the alveoli is renewed regularly, thanks to the [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology|ventilation]] process. Gas exchange in the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lungs]] takes place between the blood in the capillary network surrounding the alveoli, and the air in the alveoli itself.  

All of the blood from the [[Structure of the Heart - Anatomy & Physiology#Right Ventricle|Right Ventricle]] flows through the capillary network which surrounds the alveoli. Another set of pulmonary capillaries recieve small amounts of arterial blood from the [[Structure of the Heart - Anatomy & Physiology#Left Ventricle|Left Ventricle]], via the '''Bronchial Arteries'''. These capillaries provide oxygen and nutrients to the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lung] tissue.

All of the blood from the [[Heart Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#Right Ventricle|right ventricle]] flows through the '''pulmonary artery''' to the capillary network which surrounds the alveoli. Another set of pulmonary capillaries receive small amounts of arterial blood from the [[Heart Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#Left Ventricle|left ventricle]], via the '''bronchial arteries'''. These capillaries provide oxygen and nutrients to the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lung]] tissue.

==Principles of Gaseous Exchange==

==Principles of Gaseous Exchange==

*Gas exchange between the air within the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries occurs by ''diffusion''. The oxygen must first dissolve before passing through the [[Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology|respiratory epithelium]].

Gas exchange between the air within the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries occurs by ''diffusion''. The oxygen must first dissolve before passing through the [[Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology|respiratory epithelium]]. Gas moves from a region of high partial pressure to a region of low partial pressure, down a '''partial pressure gradient'''. Partial pressure is a term used to measure gases. 'P' is the symbol used for this term. The distance between the air within the alveoli, and the blood is approx 0.7micrometers. This distance is decreased during [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology#Inhalation|inhalation]] as the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lung]] distends. This tiny distance allows extremely fast and efficient diffusion.

*Gas moves from a region of high partial pressure to a region of low partial pressure, down a '''Partial Pressure Gradient'''.

*The distance between the air within the alveoli, and the blood is approx 0.7micrometers. This distance is decreased during [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology#Inhalation|inhalation]], as the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lung]] distends. This tiny distance allows extremely fast and efficient diffusion.

===Oxygen===

===Oxygen===

*The PO2 is always lower in the alveoli compared to the external environment due to the oxygen diffusing across the alveolar wall continuously, and the CO2 entering the alveoli which has the effect of 'diluting' the oxygen.

 

*The PO2 in the alveoli is still higher than that in the capillaries, so oxygen diffuses into the blood.

The PO₂ is always lower in the alveoli compared to the external environment due to the oxygen diffusing across the alveolar wall continuously, and the CO2 entering the alveoli which has the effect of 'diluting' the oxygen, as it is travelling in the opposite direction to the O₂. The PO₂ in the alveoli is still higher than that in the capillaries, so oxygen diffuses into the blood. Once through the alveolar and capillary walls, the oxygen combines with '''haemoglobin''' to form '''oxyhaemoglobin''' and is transported within the bloodstream.

*Once through the alveolar and capillary walls, the Oxygen combines with '''Haemoglobin''' to form '''Oxyhaemoglobin''' and is transported within the bloodstream.

===Carbon Dioxide===

===Carbon Dioxide===

*Carbon Dioxide enters the red blood cell as a waste product from cells. In the red blood cell it reacts with water to form '''Carbonic Acid''', CA.

Carbon dioxide enters the red blood cell as a waste product from cells. In the red blood cell it reacts with water to form '''carbonic acid''', CA. CA dissociates to '''bicarbonate''' ions and '''hydrogen''' ions. These diffuse into plasma, where H⁺ are buffered by haemoglobin. Approx 5% of the total body CO₂ dissolves in the plasma, approx 5% of the total body CO₂ is carried as carboxyhaemoglobin on proteins and approx 90% is carried as bicarbonate ions in the plasma. The PCO₂ in the capillaries is higher than that in the alveoli, thus CO₂ diffuses into the alveoli, where it is [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology#Exhalation|exhaled]].

*CA dissociates to '''Bicarbonate''' ions and '''Hydrogen''' ions.

*These diffuse into plasma, where H+ are buffered by haemoglobin.

**Approx 5% of the total body CO2 dissolves in the plasma.

**Approx 5% of the total body CO2 is carried as carboxyhaemoglobin on proteins.

**Approx 90% is carried as bicarbonate ions in the plasma.

*The PCO2 in the capillaries is higher than that in the alveoli, thus CO2 diffuses into the alveoli, where it is [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology#Exhalation|exhaled]].

==Species Differences==

==Species Differences==

*Terrestrial vertebrates also have the ability to undergo gas exhange within their [[Skin - Anatomy & Physiology|skin]], as well as the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lungs]]. This may account to 2% of the total gas exchange occurring within the body. This is important during it's [[Thermoregulation - Anatomy & Physiology|thermoregulatary]] functions, which involves reduced cutaneous circulation when cold temperatures are experienced.

Terrestrial vertebrates also have the ability to undergo gas exchange within their [[Skin - Anatomy & Physiology|skin]], as well as the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lungs]]. This may account to 2% of the total gas exchange occurring within the body. This is important during its [[Thermoregulation in Skin - Anatomy & Physiology|thermoregulatary]] functions, which involves reduced cutaneous circulation when cold temperatures are experienced.

==Links==

==References==

==References==

{{citation|initiallast = Sjaastad|initialfirst = O.V|2last = Hove|2first = K|finallast = Sand|finalfirst = O|year = 2004|title = Physiology of Domestic Animals|city = Oslo|pub = Scandinavian Veterinary Press}}

*{{citation|initiallast = Sjaastad|initialfirst = O.V|2last = Hove|2first = K|finallast = Sand|finalfirst = O|year = 2004|title = Physiology of Domestic Animals|city = Oslo|pub = Scandinavian Veterinary Press}}

{{OpenPages}}