The mammalian breathing system is efficient due to alveoli providing large surface area and thin walls, thin capillary walls for short diffusion, flattened cells, permeable membranes, numerous capillaries, muscles for ventilation, wide airways, and cartilage to keep airways open.
The mammalian breathing system is efficient due to alveoli providing large surface area and thin walls, thin capillary walls for short diffusion, flattened cells, permeable membranes, numerous capillaries, muscles for ventilation, wide airways, and cartilage to keep airways open.
| Front | Describe and explain how the structure of the mammalian breathing system enables efficient uptake of oxygen into the blood. ( 4 marks) |
|---|---|
| Back | 1. alveoli provide a large surface area; 2. walls of alveoli thin to provide a short diffusion pathway; 3. walls of capillary thin/close to alveoli provides a short diffusion pathway; 4. walls (of capillaries/alveoli) have flattened cells; 5. cell membrane permeable to gases; 6. many blood capillaries provide a large surface area; 7. intercostal/chest muscles/diaphragm muscles / to ventilate lungs / maintain a diffusion/concentration gradient; 8. wide trachea / branching of bronchi/bronchioles for efficient flow of air; 9. cartilage rings keep airways open; |
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