5gasexchangeanddiffusion-191217223225 231020 100836

Principles of Gas Exchange;
Diffusion of Oxygen &

Carbon Dioxide Trough the
Respiratory Membrane
13-10-2019
• The process of diffusion: is simply the random
motion of molecules in all directions through
the respiratory membrane and adjacent fluids.
• diffusion of oxygen (O2) from the alveoli into the
pulmonary blood and diffusion of carbon dioxide
(CO2) from the blood into the alveoli.
• Before starting the diffusion of O2 and CO2 we
must understand the physics of Gas diffusion and
Gas partial pressure .
Principle of Gases:
• For diffusion to occur these factors mast be done:
A. A source of energy provided by the kinetic motion of the
molecules.
B. A constant temperature.
• Net Diffusion of a Gas in One Direction .
“Partial Pressures” of Individual Gases:
• Is the pressure of a single type of gas in a mixture of gases.

• The pressure is directly proportional
to the concentration of the gas molecules.
• In respiratory physiology, one deals with mixtures of gases,
mainly oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
Basic Properties of gases:
• DALTONS LAW:
• Is summation of total partial pressure of Gases = 760mmhg Atm
• HENRY’S LAW:
• The amount of gases to dissolve in liquid depends on:
Alveolar air is slowly renewed by atmospheric air:
• Multiple breaths are required to exchange most of the alveolar

air.
• The slow replacement of alveolar air is of particular importance
in preventing sudden changes in gas concentrations in the
blood.
• The concentrations and partial pressures of both O2 and CO2 in
the alveoli are determined by the:
1. Rates of absorption or excretion of the two gases.
2. The amount of alveolar ventilation.
DIFFUSION OF GASES THROUGH
THE RESPIRATORY MEMBRANE
• Respiratory Unit:
• is composed of a respiratory bronchiole, alveolar
ducts, antrum, and alveoli.
• The alveolar walls are extremely thin,
and
between the alveoli is an almost solid
network of interconnecting capillaries.
• Alveolar gases are in very close proximity
to the blood of the pulmonary
capillaries.
Respiratory Membrane (Pulmonary membrane):
1. A layer of fluid containing surfactant that lines

the alveolus and reduces the surface tension of the
alveolar fluid.
2. The alveolar epithelium, which is composed of thin
epithelial cells.
3. An epithelial basement membrane.
4. A thin interstitial space between the alveolar epithelium
and the capillary membrane.
5. A capillary basement membrane that in many
places fuses with the alveolar epithelial basement
membrane.
6. The capillary endothelial membrane.
• Despite the large number of layers, the overall thickness of the
respiratory membrane in some areas is as little as 0.2 micrometer
and averages about 0.6 micrometer, except where there are cell
nuclei.
• The average diameter of the pulmonary capillaries is only about 5
micrometers, which means that red blood cells must squeeze
through them.
• The red blood cell membrane usually touches the capillary wall, so
O2 and CO2 need not pass through significant amounts of plasma
as they diffuse between the alveolus and the red blood cell.
• This, too, increases the rapidity of diffusion.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE RATE OF GAS
DIFFUSION THROUGH THE RESPIRATORY
MEMBRANE:
(1) The thickness of the membrane

(2) The surface area of the membrane
(3) The diffusion coefcient of the gas in the
substance of the membrane
(4) The partial pressure difference of the gas
between the two sides of the membrane.
(1) The thickness of the
membrane:
• If fluid in the interstitial or alveoli are increased
due to pulmonary edema or some sort of
bacteria that increase the permeability of the
capillary membrane.
• Also in fibrotic lung disease increase the
thickness in some portions.
• The thickness may increase up to 3-6mm.
• So the rate of diffusion decreased.
(2) The surface area of the
membrane:
• In Emphysema the wall of alveoli are coalesce
dissolution, so you have a one big alveoli but
the surface area is less.
• In smokers or cancer patient or even genetically
abnormalities the neutrophils produce a
elastase which degraded the alveoli wall but
the presence of Alp 1 antitrypsin inhibit the
effect of elastase.
• So decreased total surface area leads to
impairment of gas exchange.
(3) The diffusion coefcient:
• Gas solubility in the membrane.
• The square root of the gas’s molecular weight.
Example:
• If the molecular weight of the gas is more, the
density also more, and the rate of diffusion is less (in
carbon dioxide).
• Because O2 has a lower molecular weight than CO2,
it could be expected to diffuse across the respiratory
membrane about 1.2 times faster.
(4) The partial pressure
difference of the gas:
• Is the difference in partial pressure of the gas in
the alveoli and the partial pressure of the gas in
the pulmonary capillary blood.
• A measure of the total number of molecules of a
particular gas striking a unit area of the alveolar
surface of the membrane in unit time.
• The pressure of the gas in the blood represents
the number of molecules that attempt to escape
from the blood in the opposite direction.
• Net tendency.
Example:
DIFFUSING CAPACITY OF THE
RESPIRATORY MEMBRANE:
• The volume of a gas that will diffuse through

the membrane each minute for a partial
pressure difference of 1 mm Hg.
A- Diffusing Capacity for
Oxygen:
• In the average young man, the diffusing capacity
for O2 under resting conditions averages 21
ml/min/mm Hg.
• The mean O2 pressure difference across the
respiratory membrane during normal, quiet
breathing is about 11 mm Hg.
• Multiplication of this pressure by the diffusing
capacity (11 × 21) gives a total of about 230
milliliters of oxygen diffusing through the
respiratory membrane each minute, which is equal
to the rate at which the resting body uses O2.
Example:
• Increased Oxygen Diffusing Capacity during
Exercise:
• 65 ml/min/mm Hg X 11 mmHg = 715ml.
• More than three folds than normal.
• The pulmonary blood flow increased, the
ventilation increased, so the oxygen diffusing
capacity will increase this established by:
1- Reopening of dormant pulmonary capillary.
2- Dilating of pre existing pulmonary capillary.
3- Matching the V/Q ratio.
B- Diffusing Capacity for Carbon
Dioxide:
• The diffusing capacity for CO2 has never been
measured because CO2 diffuses through the
respiratory membrane so rapidly that the average
PCO2 in the pulmonary blood is not far different from
the PCO2 in the alveoli the average difference is less
than 1 mm Hg.
• Because the diffusion coefficient of CO2 is slightly
more than 20 times that of O2, one would expect a
diffusing capacity for CO2 under resting conditions of
about 400 to 450 ml/min/mm Hg and during exercise
of about 1200 to 1300 ml/min/mm Hg.

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Principles of Gas Exchange;

Diffusion of Oxygen &

• Is the pressure of a single type of gas in a mixture of gases.

• Multiple breaths are required to exchange most of the alveolar

1. A layer of fluid containing surfactant that lines

(1) The thickness of the membrane

• The volume of a gas that will diﬀuse through

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