Question

Select the most likely reason why lungs have a large total surface area for gas exchange. Multiple answers

A. It is a byproduct of the rate of epithelial cell division.
B. It is a requirement in order to meet the gas exchange needs of the body.
C. It is so that there is significant reserve in the lungs in cases where part of the lung is not functional.

Answer 1

The lungs have a large surface area for gas exchange due to the presence of millions of alveoli, allowing for efficient oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange between the lungs and bloodstream.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lungs have a large total surface area for gas exchange due to the presence of millions of alveoli. Each lung contains approximately 300 million alveoli, which greatly increases the surface area available for gas exchange. This surface area of the lungs is about 75-90 square meters.

Having a large surface area allows for efficient gas exchange between the lungs and the bloodstream. It enables a greater amount of oxygen to diffuse into the bloodstream from the air in the lungs and allows for the removal of a larger amount of carbon dioxide from the bloodstream into the air in the lungs. This maximizes the efficiency of gas exchange and ensures that the body's gas exchange needs are met.