Question

What function do the aveoli perform?

Answer 1

The alveoli (singular: alveolus) are small, thin-walled, air-filled sacs located at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs. They are the main sites of gas exchange in the respiratory system.

The primary function of the alveoli is to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the bloodstream. Oxygen from inhaled air enters the alveoli and diffuses from the air sacs into the surrounding blood capillaries, where it binds with hemoglobin in red blood cells and is transported to body tissues. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste product produced by cells during cellular respiration, moves from the blood into the alveoli and is then exhaled out of the body during exhalation.

The thin walls of the alveoli, combined with a dense network of blood vessels, maximize the surface area available for gas exchange. This allows for efficient oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide removal, enabling the body to maintain appropriate levels of oxygenation and eliminate waste gases.