What function do the alveoli perform
The alveoli perform a vital function in the respiratory system by facilitating the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the bloodstream. Their primary function is to allow for efficient gas exchange.
To understand more about the function of alveoli, we can break it down step by step:
1. First, oxygen from the inhaled air enters the lungs through tiny air sacs called bronchioles.
2. The bronchioles, which are part of the respiratory system, branch out into numerous tiny air sacs called alveoli.
3. The walls of the alveoli are extremely thin and are surrounded by an extensive network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries.
4. When you inhale, oxygen passes through the thin walls of the alveoli and into the surrounding capillaries.
5. At the same time, carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of cellular respiration, passes from the capillaries into the alveoli.
6. Oxygenated blood then returns to the heart to be pumped throughout the body, providing oxygen to the various organs and tissues.
7. Additionally, the deoxygenated blood, carrying carbon dioxide, is transported back to the lungs to be exhaled.
In summary, the alveoli play a crucial role in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, allowing oxygen to enter the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be removed from it.