Question

How are the alveoli designed to maximise the exchange of gases?

Answer 1

Alveoli are tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs within the lungs, featuring a dense network of blood vessels in their walls. Each lung contains an estimated 300 to 350 million alveoli, bringing the total to approximately 700 million across both lungs. When unfurled, the collective surface area of the alveoli spans roughly 80 m², a significant size that optimizes gas exchange efficiency.