Question

Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their structure and functioning.

Answer 1

Alveoli: Alveoli are the tiny air sacs present in the lungs that allow the rapid exchange of gases.

Nephrons: Nephrons comprise glomerulus and tubules through which glomerular filtrate passes

Functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys:

Alveoli	Nephrons
1. Alveoli are the tiny air sacs present in the lungs that allow the rapid exchange of gases.	1. Nephrons comprise glomerulus and tubules through which glomerular filtrate passes
2. Present in the lungs	2. Present in kidneys
3. There are located in the respiratory system	3. These are located in the excretory system
4. There are around 480 million alveoli found in each lung	4. Around 1.5 million nephrons are found in kidneys
5. These are sac-like structures	5. These are tubular structures
6. Pulmonary arterioles supply blood	6. Afferent arterioles supply blood
7. Blood is supplied to pulmonary veins	7. Blood is supplied to renal veins
8. Facilitates gaseous exchange in lungs	8. Facilitates blood filtration to produce urine
9. Made up of simple squamous epithelium	9. Made up of simple cuboidal epithelium with microvilli

Diagram:

Diagram: Alveoli

Diagram: Nephron