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Gas Exchange in Mammals and Plants

Tissues of the mammalian gas exchange system

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on the path of air to the alveoli, squamous alveolar epithelium, ciliated epithelium and goblet cells, C-shaped cartilage rings in the trachea, smooth muscle and elastic fibres in the airways and lungs, and recognising these tissues in stained sections.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Process

Which structures does inhaled air pass through, why are alveolar cells flattened, and why is the tracheal cartilage incomplete?

Key term

Name in order the structures air passes through between the trachea and the site of gas exchange.

Key term

Why is the alveolar epithelium made of squamous rather than columnar cells?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Name in order the structures air passes through between the trachea and the site of gas exchange.

    Model answer

    The trachea, then the bronchi, then the bronchioles, and finally the alveoli.

  2. 2

    Describe the appearance of the squamous epithelial cells lining an alveolus.

    Model answer

    They are extremely flattened cells with a bulging nucleus, forming a layer well under 1 μm thick.

  3. 3

    Why is the alveolar epithelium made of squamous rather than columnar cells?

    Model answer

    Flattened cells give a much shorter diffusion distance between the air and the blood, so gases cross faster.

  4. 4

    Describe the structure of the ciliated epithelial tissue lining the airways.

    Model answer

    It is made of column-shaped cells whose exposed surface bears many cilia, with mucus-secreting goblet cells scattered among them.

  5. 5

    What is the function of the cilia in the ciliated epithelium of the airways?

    Model answer

    They beat rhythmically to sweep the mucus, with any trapped dust and pathogens, up towards the throat where it is swallowed.

  6. 6

    What is the role of the goblet cells in the airway lining?

    Model answer

    They secrete mucus, which traps dust particles, pollen and pathogens in the incoming air.

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