Physical Principles of Gas Exchange;

Diffusion of Oxygen & Carbon Dioxide Through the

Respiratory Membrane

After the alveoli are ventilated with fresh air, the next step in the
respiratory process is diffusion of oxygen from the alveoli into the
pulmonary blood and diffusion of carbon dioxide in the opposite
direction, out of the blood.
The process of diffusion is simply the random motion of molecules
intertwining their way in all directions through the respiratory
membrane and adjacent fluids.

Diffusion of Gases between the Gas Phase in the Alveoli and the
Dissolved Phase in the Pulmonary Blood
The partial pressure of each gas in the alveolar respiratory gas mixture
tends to force molecules of that gas into solution in the blood of the
alveolar capillaries. Conversely, the molecules of the same gas that are
already dissolved in the blood are bouncing randomly in the fluid of
the blood, and some of these bouncing molecules escape back into the
alveoli. The rate at which they escape is directly proportional to their
partial pressure in the blood.

But in which direction will net diffusion of the gas occur?

The answer is that net diffusion is determined by the difference
between the two partial pressures;
If the partial pressure is greater in the gas phase in the alveoli, as is
normally true for oxygen, then more molecules will diffuse into the
blood than in the other direction.
Alternatively, if the partial pressure of the gas is greater in the
dissolved state in the blood, which is normally true for carbon dioxide,
then net diffusion will occur toward the gas phase in the alveoli.

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Importance of the Slow Replacement of Alveolar Air:
The slow replacement of alveolar air is of particular importance in
preventing sudden changes in gas concentrations in the blood, this
makes the respiratory control mechanism much more stable than it
would be otherwise, and it helps prevent excessive increases and
decreases in tissue oxygenation, tissue carbon dioxide concentration,
and tissue pH when respiration is temporarily interrupted.

Respiratory Membrane
Note the following different layers of the respiratory membrane:
1. A layer of fluid lining the alveolus and containing surfactant that
reduces the surface tension of the alveolar fluid.
2. The alveolar epithelium 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.

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Factors That Affect the Rate of Gas Diffusion Through the
Respiratory Membrane
The factors that determine how rapidly a gas will pass through the
membrane are:
1. The thickness of the membrane.
2. The surface area of the membrane.
3. The diffusion coefficient of the gas in the substance of the
membrane.
4. The partial pressure difference of the gas between the two sides
of the membrane.

Change in Oxygen Diffusing Capacity During Exercise:

During strenuous exercise or other conditions that greatly increase
pulmonary blood flow and alveolar ventilation, the diffusing capacity
for oxygen increases in young men to a maximum of about 65 ml/min/
mm Hg, which is three times the diffusing capacity under resting
conditions.

This increase is caused by several factors, among which are:

1. Opening up of many previously dormant pulmonary capillaries or
extra dilation of already open capillaries, thereby increasing the
surface area of the blood into which the oxygen can diffuse.
2. A better match between the ventilation of the alveoli and the
perfusion of the alveolar capillaries with blood, called
"ventilation perfusion ratio".

Therefore, during exercise, oxygenation of the blood is increased not

only by increased alveolar ventilation but also by greater diffusing
capacity of the respiratory membrane for transporting oxygen into the
blood.

Edited By
Noor Al-Deen M. Al-Khanati