GAS EXCHANGE Meaning and
Definition
-
Gas exchange refers to the process by which oxygen is acquired and carbon dioxide is eliminated within the respiratory systems of organisms. It occurs in various living creatures including plants, animals, and humans, as an essential physiological process. During gas exchange, the exchange of gases takes place between the external environment and the internal tissues or cells.
In animals, gas exchange usually occurs in specialized respiratory organs such as lungs or gills. Oxygen from the surrounding environment is diffused into these organs and then transferred to the bloodstream, where it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells for transport to the body's cells. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, is released from the cells into the bloodstream and diffuses out of the respiratory organs into the external environment.
Plants perform gas exchange through small openings called stomata, which are primarily located on the leaves. The process involves the absorption of carbon dioxide from the air and the release of oxygen by photosynthesis. These gases are exchanged through the stomata, aided by diffusion and the concentration gradients between the plant tissues and the external environment.
Overall, gas exchange is essential for the survival and functioning of organisms, facilitating the uptake of oxygen necessary for cellular respiration and the elimination of carbon dioxide. It ensures the maintenance of appropriate gas concentrations within an organism's internal environment, which is vital for sustaining life processes and maintaining homeostasis.
Etymology of GAS EXCHANGE
The word "gas exchange" is a combination of two terms: "gas" and "exchange".
The term "gas" is derived from the Greek word "khasis" which means "empty space" or "vacuum". It was later adopted into Latin as "gas" to refer to any substance or matter that exists in a gaseous state.
The term "exchange" comes from the Latin word "exchangere", which is a combination of "ex" (meaning "out") and "changere" (meaning "to change"). It refers to the act of giving one thing and receiving another in return.
In the context of biology, especially respiratory physiology, the term "gas exchange" is used to describe the process by which oxygen (O2) is taken up by an organism and carbon dioxide (CO2) is released.
