Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, which are part of which airway zone?

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Multiple Choice

Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, which are part of which airway zone?

Gas exchange requires alveolar surfaces with thin membranes closely surrounded by blood vessels. Alveoli, the tiny air sacs where diffusion of oxygen into blood and carbon dioxide out occurs, are located in the respiratory zone. This zone includes respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveolar sacs—the structures that house the alveoli and provide the minimal diffusion distance needed for gas exchange. The conducting zone (from the nasal cavity through the terminal bronchioles) transports and conditions air but contains no alveoli, so no gas exchange happens there. Therefore, gas exchange occurs in the respiratory zone.

Gas exchange requires alveolar surfaces with thin membranes closely surrounded by blood vessels. Alveoli, the tiny air sacs where diffusion of oxygen into blood and carbon dioxide out occurs, are located in the respiratory zone. This zone includes respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveolar sacs—the structures that house the alveoli and provide the minimal diffusion distance needed for gas exchange. The conducting zone (from the nasal cavity through the terminal bronchioles) transports and conditions air but contains no alveoli, so no gas exchange happens there. Therefore, gas exchange occurs in the respiratory zone.

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