3. Diffusion of gases occurs in the alveolar region only and not in the other parts of the respiratory system. Why?
For efficient exchange of gases, the respiratory surface must have certain characteristics such as
1. It must be thin, moist and permeable to respiratory gases
2. It must be very large
3. It must be highly vascular
Only alveolar region has these characteristics. Thus, diffusion of gases occurs in this region only.