gaasidevahetus
Gaasidevahetus, also known as gas exchange, is the process by which gases are transferred between an organism and its environment. This vital process is fundamental to respiration, where oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is released. In most multicellular organisms, gas exchange occurs across specialized surfaces. In aquatic animals, this often involves gills, which are feathery structures with a large surface area that facilitates diffusion of dissolved oxygen from water into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide from the blood into the water. Terrestrial animals, on the other hand, typically use lungs, which are internal organs with extensive branching to maximize surface area for gas exchange with air.
The efficiency of gas exchange is influenced by several factors. A large surface area is crucial, as