I keep getting “Gas exchange” questions wrong in Breathing & Exchange of Gases. What's the trap?
thinking gases are actively pumped across the alveoli.
The usual trap: thinking gases are actively pumped across the alveoli. How to avoid it: gas exchange is passive diffusion, driven by concentration differences. Go back to the definition — oxygen and carbon dioxide swap by diffusion across the thin, moist walls of the alveoli.
Key point
Gas exchange
Common mistake
thinking gases are actively pumped across the alveoli.
Memory tip
gas exchange is passive diffusion, driven by concentration differences.
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