Talk:Pulmonary alveolus

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My understanding was that the CO2 exchange was based on sodium bicarbonate and that carbon dioxide does not bind to red blood cells. Perhaps this can be checked and this page updated? CustardJack No, only 70% of CO2 is exchanged to sodium bicarbonate. Roughly 23% binds to hemoglobin. The remaining 7% travels dissolved in the plasma.

Hm. My physiology lecture notes say 10% CO2 in solution, 85% as bicarbonate and 5% stuck to proteins such as Hb. Orimlig 04:24, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Just editing out the "fuck fuck" blabber by some immature kiddie. Exigence 02:42, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

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[edit] alveoli disease?

Is there a disease in which the alveolus don't work because the gas exchange is only one way? It is said it is something irreversible. Is there a name for this disease? Marisol Meyer

When there is fluid or fibrotic tissue in the alveoli the oxygen delivery to the blood will be affected before the removal of carbon dioxide. Thus hypoxemia (low oxygen in the blood) will happen, without significant hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide in the blood). This occurs because carbon dioxide diffuses more rapidly due to a greater gradient. Often the effects of such diseases are most aparent during exercise


I am currenly doing a science test, and one of the questions is "Describe how the alveoli are specialized to help oxygen enter the blood." I don't know the answer! Does anyone know?

Answer: Alveoli have different types of cells that assist with gas exchange. The "type 2" cells produce surfactant which reduces the surface tension in the alveolus, this prevents the alveolus from collapsing and allows the structures to remain patent (open and ready to exchange gas). The other type of cell is type 1 and is a very thin and delicate membrane that provides the interface for gas exchange.

[edit] Typing error under 'Chronic bronchitis'?

Everyone agrees that the word broncholiotes under 'Chronic bronchitis' is a typing error for bronchiolites? 131.224.251.68 13:44, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Looks that way to me. susato 14:46, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Alveolar walls 0.2 microns in thickness?

This looks way too small, if the 0.1 mm (100 micron) radius is correct, the photomicrograph indicates that the walls would be about 10-20 microns thick. Mammalian cells are bigger than 0.2 microns, usually 10-20 microns at least. (Bacterial cells are 1-2 microns in size) Furthermore, the alvelolar walls contain capillaries through which erythrocytes (radius 6-8 microns, thickness 1-2 microns) pass. Please clarify -- Thanks! susato 14:46, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

Followup: http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/Respiratory/respir.htm has some good images and a claim that the alveolar wall is around 2 microns in thickness. susato 15:17, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] gasbags

Should this say that:

"The alveoli are found in the respiratory zone of the gasbags" ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Matronlulu (talk • contribs) 17:37, 11 December 2007 (UTC)