Final answer:
The plural of alveolus is alveoli. Alveoli are tiny sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place, and they are responsible for exchanging gases between the lungs and the bloodstream. Alveoli have elastic walls, allowing them to stretch during air intake, and they are connected to each other by alveolar pores.
Step-by-step explanation:
The plural of alveolus is alveoli.
An alveolus is one of a cluster of tiny sacs at the ends of bronchioles in the lungs where pulmonary gas exchange takes place. These sacs are responsible for gas exchange and are approximately 200 μm in diameter with elastic walls that allow them to stretch during air intake, increasing the surface area available for gas exchange. The alveoli are connected to their neighbors by alveolar pores, helping to maintain equal air pressure throughout the lung. The lungs have a sponge-like consistency due to the presence of numerous alveoli, which provides a very large surface area for gas exchange.