Final answer:
The amount of gas exchanged across the alveolar-capillary membrane per unit of time, as described in Fick's Law, is inversely proportional to the membrane thickness, which relates to efficient gas exchange in biological systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fick's Law states that the amount of gas exchanged across the alveolar-capillary membrane per unit of time is inversely proportional to the membrane thickness. When considering the factors that influence the rate of diffusion, Fick's Law highlights that a thinner membrane allows gas to travel less distance, thus facilitating a higher rate of diffusion. This is similar to how Graham's Law explains that the rates of diffusion and effusion of gases are inversely proportional to the square roots of their molecular masses, which in turn is related to the kinetic energy of the gases. In the alveoli of the lungs, a greater rate of diffusion is advantageous for efficient gas exchange, enabling oxygen to enter the blood more readily and carbon dioxide to be expelled faster.