Adaptations of the Alveolus (WJEC GCSE Biology)

Revision Note

Cara Head

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Cara Head

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The Alveolus

  • The lungs are the gas exchange surface in humans
    • They are adapted to maximise the exchange of gas by diffusion
  • Inside the lungs there are many air-filled structures called alveoli
    • Alveoli are found at the end of the bronchioles
      • They consist of many individual sacs, each of which is called an alveolus
      • Each alveolus has a single-celled wall with a moist lining
    • The alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries containing red blood cells and plasma
      • Oxygen diffuses into the blood from the alveoli
      • Carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood into the alveoli

Alveoli structure diagramalveolus

Alveoli contain many sac-like structures each of which is a single alveolus

Examiner Tip

You need to be able to label the following structures on a diagram of the alveoli:

  • End of bronchiole
  • Wall of alveolus
  • Moist lining of alveolus
  • Wall of capillary
  • Red blood cells and plasma

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Cara Head

Author: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding