

During inspiration, contraction of the diaphragm creates negative pressure around the lungs allowing the lungs to expand in addition to the positive pressure exerted on the lungs from the airways. Īnother important part of lung physiology is compliance which simply means the opposite of stiffness.

CO 2 diffuses more readily than O 2 because of its high plasma solubility.

The barrier to this process includes a cytoplasmic extension of type 1 cells, the basement membrane, and the capillary endothelial layer. This difference results in the diffusion of O 2 from the alveolus to the capillaries. Gas exchange between the alveolus and the blood capillary depends on the passive diffusion of PO 2 in the alveolus (around 100 mmHg), and the blood entering the capillary (around 40 mm).
