Why do some parts of the human body (example: alveoli of lungs, skin, intestines) are said to cover a big area when stretched out, but can also fit inside a small human body?

Question

Why do some parts of the human body (example: alveoli of lungs, skin, intestines) are said to cover a big area when stretched out, but can also fit inside a small human body?

In: Biology

Answer 1

You’re asking about a lot, so let’s start with the first: the alveoli. Imagine a bunch of grapes. The grapes are the alveoli, with each part of grape skin having the one-celled ability to absorb oxygen and release Carbon dioxide.. The little stems that the grapes are individually connected to are called bronchioles, and they transport the gases. Those lead up to the main stem, which you would hold the bunch of grapes by.

Now: imagine that the bunch of grapes you have in your hand is the size of your thumb.
That’s how the human body works.

If you’re interested, I can go into intestinal villi, which is the same concept as a shag carpet.
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