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  • 1.0. MODULE 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
  • 2.0. MODULE 2: BLOOD
  • 3.0. MODULE 3: IMMUNE SYSTEM
  • 4.0. MODULE 4: THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
  • 5.0. MODULE 5: THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
  • 6.0. MODULE 6: THE SKELETAL SYSTEM
  • 7.0. MODULE 7: URINARY SYSTEM
  • 8.0. MODULE 8: DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
  • 9.0. MODULE 9: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
  • 10.0. MODULE 10: REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
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  • Translations
  • 5.1.3

    Respiratory Membrane

    respiratory membrane

    Respiratory Membrane in the Alveoli.
    Image drawn by BYU-Idaho student: Jared Cardinet

    The respiratory membrane is what separates the inside of the alveoli from the blood. It consists of six layers that gasses must cross to enter the blood from the alveoli or vice versa. Imagine molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide that must pass through the following six layers.

    1) fluid covering the inside of the alveoli (surfactant)

    2) squamous cells (alveolar epithelium) lining the alveoli

    3) basement membrane of alveolar epithelium

    4) small space between two basement membranes (interstitial space)

    5) basement membrane of capillary endothelium

    6) squamous cells that make up the wall of the capillaries (capillary endothelium)

    This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.

    Access it online or download it at https://books.byui.edu/bio_265_anatomy_phy_II/513___respiratory_me.