Week 7 – Discussion Board 2

[Art Liebl]

In at least 250 words talk about the  importance of the alveoli and what it does? Reply to two fellow students by Monday.

[Cristina Restrepo]

The alveoli are tiny air sacs located in the lungs. To be more exact they are located at the end of the bronchioles, which are the smallest air passages in the lungs. The alveoli is where gas exchange takes place, transferring oxygen into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide out. They achieve this by taking the oxygen we inhale and diffusing it via capillaries into the blood stream then carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. They are crucial because they significantly increase the surface area of the lungs, facilitating efficient oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release. This gas exchange is vital for oxygen delivery to the body and removal of waste products such as carbon dioxide. It is important to mention that the alveoli need to be free from inflammation and mucus to function properly.

[Leonisa Avelino]

The alveoli are tiny, balloon like air sacs located at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs. Although each alveolus is extremely small, collectively, they play one of the most critical roles in the respiratory system:
Alveoli is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occur Humans have about 300 million alveoli, providing a vast surface area about the size of a tennis court for oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged efficiently.

The primary function of the alveoli is to allow oxygen from the air we breathe to enter the bloodstream while removing carbon dioxide from the blood so it can be exhaled. When you inhale, air travels through your windpipe, bronchi, and bronchioles until it reaches the alveoli. These sacs are surrounded by a network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. The walls of both the alveoli and capillaries are extremely thin, allowing gases to easily pass through. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the capillaries, where it binds to red blood cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste product from the body’s cells, diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.

The alveoli are also coated with a substance called surfactant, which reduces surface tension and prevents them from collapsing after each breath. Without healthy alveoli, the body would struggle to get the oxygen it needs and to remove carbon dioxide, leading to serious health problems like respiratory failure. Their role is vital for survival.

[Lesly Betancur]

The alveoli are microscopic sacs at the ends of the air passages in the lungs (bronchioles), and they are vital for transferring oxygen into the bloodstream. Though small—each alveolus is only about 0.2 millimeters in diameter—there are millions of alveoli in each lung, creating a large surface area that is essential for gas exchange. This process allows oxygen to enter the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be removed from the body.

When we inhale, air travels through the nose or mouth, down the trachea, into the bronchi, and finally into smaller branches called bronchioles. These bronchioles end in clusters of alveoli. The walls of the alveoli are extremely thin and are surrounded by a network of tiny capillaries. This close contact between the alveoli and capillaries allows oxygen from the air inside the alveoli to pass through their walls and into the blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide—a waste product of the body’s metabolism, moves from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.

The importance of alveoli cannot be overstated. Without them, the body would not be able to efficiently absorb oxygen or remove carbon dioxide. This gas exchange is what keeps our cells alive and functioning. Understanding how alveoli work helps in explaining conditions like pneumonia, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can interfere with this vital process. For medical interpreters, being familiar with the role of the alveoli supports clearer communication between providers and patients when discussing lung conditions, treatments, or respiratory therapies.

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