Diffusion in the Lungs© Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4746Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources.red bloodcellscarbon dioxidemoleculesoxygenmoleculesoxygenred blood cellscapillaryair sac wallOxygen Diffusion in the LungsThe exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that takes place in the lungs is possible through the process of diffusion. The Need for OxygenEvery cell in the human body needs oxygen. A steady supply of oxygen is critical to supporting highly active tissues and cells, which have a constant need for energy. This energy can only be produced in high quantities by cells when oxygen is present. lungsalveoliThe high concentration of oxygen in the lung’s air sacs moves to a lower concentration in the blood while carbon dioxide moves from an area of high concentration in the blood to a lower concentration in the air sacs (alveoli). ssssssssssssssred blood ceeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllllllssssssssssssssslsssssssssssssssscerrererrrrrrylllllllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrypiiiiiiiiil rrrrrryyyyyyyyyyilllll rrrrrrycccccccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaappppyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrr sssssssssssaaaaaaaaaccccccccccccc wwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllThe exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that takes placccceeee iiiinnnn tttthhhheeee lllluungggggsssss iiiiisssss ppppoooosssssssssiiiiibbbbllle thhhhroouuuuuggggghhhhh tttthhhhheeee ppprocess of diffusion. Every cell in the human body needs oxygen. A steady supply of oxygen is ccrrrriiiitttttiiiiiccccaaaaal to supportttiiiinnnngggg higggghhhhllllyyyy acttttiiiivvvveeeee tissues and cells, which have a constant need for energy. This energy can oooonnnnnllllyyyyy bbbbeeee pppprrrroooduced in highhhh qqqquuuuaaaaannnntttiiitttttiiiiieeeeessss by cells when oxygen is present. lungngsalveoliThe high concentration of oxygen in the lung’s air sacs moves to a lower concentration in the blood while carbon dioxide moves from an area of high concentration in the blood to a lower concentration in the air sacs (alveoli).
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