Gas Exchange Collection

English oak leaf pores, SEM
English oak leaf pores. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of stomata (round) on the underside of a leaf from an English oak (Quercus robur) tree

French lavender leaf pore, SEM
French lavender leaf pore. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an open stoma (centre, black). Stomata are pores that open and close in order to regulate gas exchange in a plant

Diseased alveoli in the lung. Cutaway computer artwork showing the interior of diseased alveoli (spheres) and bronchioles, (tubes) and blood vessels (red and purple) of the lungs

Human lungs, anatomical artwork
Human lungs. Anatomical artwork of the human lungs (red, centre left and right) and respiratory system. The heart (which has been removed here) is located between the lungs

Lung alveoli anatomy, artwork C016 / 7680
Lung alveoli anatomy. Artwork showing the structure of the lung alveoli, where gas exchange occurs between the respiratory and circulatory systems

Potato Leaf Stomata (SEM)
Potato Stomata. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of open stomata on a potato leaf (Solanum tuberosum). Stomata are pores that open and close in order to regulate gas exchange in a plant

Red blood cell, SEM
Red blood cell, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are carriers of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Conceptual image of stomata

Conceptual image of alveolus

Conceptual image of alveoli

Conceptual image of human lungs

Illustration showing human respiratory system
Medicine: Human anatomy, respiratory system. Drawing

Illustration showing exchange of gases in bronchi
Medicine - Human anatomy: respiratory system, the exchange of gases in the bronchi. Drawing

Shark heart-gill anatomy, artwork C016 / 6847
Shark heart-gill anatomy. Artwork of the heart and gill anatomy of a shark, seen from the underside, with the head at right (teeth at centre right)

Grape leaf stoma, SEM C014 / 4740
Grape leaf stoma. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a closed stoma (centre-right) on a leaf from a grape (Vitis sp.) vine

Lungs anatomy, artwork
Lungs anatomy, computer artwork. At top left is the trachea (windpipe, white), which splits into two bronchi, one for each lung (blue)

Heart and lung anatomy, artwork C016 / 2911
Heart and lung anatomy. Artwork of an oblique anterior (left-frontal) view of the rib-cage, heart and lungs in a male body. One lung is shown at right

Heart and lung anatomy, artwork C016 / 2909
Heart and lung anatomy. Artwork of an anterior (frontal) view of the heart and lungs in a male body. One lung is shown at right. The bronchioles (airways) inside the lungs are shown at left

Lung anatomy, artwork C016 / 2905
Lung anatomy. Artwork of an anterior (frontal) view of the lungs in a male body. One lung is shown at right. The heart is not shown

Heart and lung anatomy, artwork C016 / 2904
Heart and lung anatomy. Artwork of a posterior (from behind) view of the heart and lungs. The heart (mostly obscured) is a hollow muscle that pumps blood around the body and to the lungs

Mackerel gills, SEM
Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) gills showing the large surface area for gas exchange, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM)

Stomata of Lavendula Dentata, SEM
Open and closed stomata on a lavender leaf (Lavendula dentata), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Stomata are pores that open and close in order to regulate gas exchange in a plant

Lung, X-ray
Lung. Coloured bronchography (X-ray) of a healthy human lung. A contrast medium has been added to show the network of airways (green) in the right lung

Frog skin, SEM
Frog skin. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the skin of a frog, showing numerous folds (microplicae). These folds maximise the surface area to allow for increased cutaneous gas

Horse-chestnut leaf, light micrograph
Horse-chestnut leaf. Light micrograph of a section through a leaf from a horse-chestnut, or conker, tree (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Alveoli in the lung, artwork
Alveoli in the lung. Computer artwork showing the alveoli (spheres) and bronchioles (tubes) of the lungs. The alveoli are the tiny air sacs of the lungs where gases are exchanged between the air in

Respiratory tract, artwork
Respiratory tract. Computer artwork showing the various stages and structures of the human respiratory tract. Air is drawn in through the oral and/or nasal cavities, and passes down the trachea

Human lungs. Anatomical artwork of the human lungs and respiratory system. The heart (which has been removed here) is located between the lungs

Lungs and trachea, artwork. The lungs are where blood is oxygenated. Breathing brings air into the lungs through the trachea (windpipe) at upper centre

Plant stomata, light micrograph
Plant stomata. Light micrograph of stomatal pores on the surface of a kidney bean (Phaseolus sp.) leaf. The stomata are gaps (white) within two guard cells (blue, kidney-shaped)

Plant stoma, light micrograph
Plant stoma. Light micrograph of a stomatal pore (centre) on the surface of a stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf. The stomata are gaps (white) within two guard cells (kidney-shaped)

Lung bronchus cross-section, SEM
Lung bronchus cross-section, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This longitudinal freeze-fracture has exposed the inner epithelial surface of a bronchus (brown)

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Gas exchange is a vital process that occurs in various organisms, enabling the exchange of gases between their internal systems and the environment. In plants, this intricate mechanism takes place through specialized structures like leaf pores. An English oak leaf pore, captured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showcases the intricacy of nature's design. Similarly, a French lavender leaf pore, also observed under SEM, reveals the remarkable complexity involved in gas exchange within plant tissues. These microscopic openings play a crucial role in facilitating the movement of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. Moving from plants to animals, we delve into human anatomy to explore gas exchange on a different scale. The potato leaf stomata imaged using SEM provide an up-close view of these tiny openings found on leaves' surfaces. Stomata allow for gaseous interchange during photosynthesis while preventing excessive water loss. Shifting our focus to mammals' respiratory system, diseased alveoli in the lung serve as a stark reminder of how crucial proper gas exchange is for our health. When afflicted by diseases like pneumonia or emphysema, these delicate air sacs become inflamed or damaged impairing their ability to efficiently transfer oxygen into our bloodstream. Zooming even closer into our bodies at a cellular level brings us face-to-face with red blood cells captured via SEM. These biconcave-shaped cells are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout our body and removing waste products like carbon dioxide. To better understand how all these components work together harmoniously within human lungs, anatomical artwork provides an illustrative representation showcasing their interconnectedness and functionality. Conceptual images further aid us in visualizing both stomata and alveoli—the former depicting clusters of small pores on leaves' surfaces while the latter highlighting intricate air sacs within mammalian lungs. Through these conceptual representations, we can appreciate just how essential these structures are for efficient gas exchange across diverse organisms.