Gas Exchange

Gas Exchange

The process by which organisms absorb a gas from their environment and release another, such as humans taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.

Diffusion

The primary method of transportation for gases during gas exchange, where gases move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Permeability

A property of gas exchange surfaces that allows molecules to pass through their membranes.

Moisture

A necessary condition for gas exchange, allowing gases to dissolve before diffusing across exchange surfaces.

Large Surface Area

A trait of gas exchange surfaces that provides more space for gases to diffuse, enhancing the efficiency of the process.

Thin Tissue Layer

A characteristic of gas exchange membranes that minimizes the distance gases must travel, facilitating efficient diffusion.

Concentration Gradient

A difference in the concentration of gases across the exchange surface, crucial for diffusion to occur.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen and a small amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.

Cooperative Oxygen Binding

A phenomenon where binding of one oxygen molecule to hemoglobin increases the likelihood of subsequent oxygen molecules binding.

Bohr Shift

The decrease in hemoglobin’s oxygen affinity in response to increased carbon dioxide and lowered pH levels.

Tidal Volume

The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal breath.

Vital Capacity

The total amount of air that can be inhaled or exhaled forcefully during a deep breath.

Fetal Hemoglobin

A type of hemoglobin with a higher affinity for oxygen, found in fetuses, allowing them to extract oxygen efficiently from maternal blood.

Stomata

Pore openings on leaves that facilitate gas exchange, regulated by guard cells.

Spongy Mesophyll

The layer in leaves primarily responsible for gas exchange, situated near the stomata.

Cuticle

A waxy outer layer of leaves that helps prevent water loss and regulates gas exchange through stomata.

Alveoli

Tiny sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs between air and blood.

Ventilation

The process of moving air in and out of the lungs through changes in lung volume, which alters pressure.