What process results in the movement of oxygen across the walls of the alveoli in the lungs?
1 Answer
Jun 2, 2017
Diffusion from a place of high concentration to a place of low concentration.
Explanation:
Oxygen transfer in the alveoli of the lungs takes place by diffusion.
Since the oxygen in the alveoli is of a higher concentration than that in the de-oxygenated blood in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli, there is a concentration gradient that is formed that causes oxygen to diffuse through the thin walls of the alveoli and capillaries into the blood where it binds to haemoglobin.
The transfer of carbon dioxide from blood to the alveoli for exhalation takes place in a similar manner.
