Visking Tubing Diffusion Lab. The goal of the experiment was to investigate the effect of changing the temperature surrounding a vial on the time taken for diffusion of ammonium hydroxide through visking tubing to cause red litmus paper to turn blue.

        This speed of molecular movement is probably the reason behind the positive correlation. As the temperature surrounding the ammonium hydroxide increases, the particles inside the liquid move at a faster rate as well. An increase in the speed of the molecules decreases the time it takes for the ammonium hydroxide to diffuse up through the visking tubing and towards the red litmus paper, causing it to turn blue faster at higher temperatures. Our data made sense because we only measured the effect temperature had on the 2 mL of ammonium hydroxide we used. However, if we relate this same concept of temperature change and the effect it has in the human alveoli, the data would not make much sense.

        Based on our graph, the hottest temperatures are best for human alveoli to function and diffuse at a fast rate. However, using our common sense we know that this is not accurate. If we were to do a direct test on the alveoli, I think that the optimum temperature would be room temperature, which is around 23°C -25°C. If we increased the temperature to 71°C or even to as low as 40°C, there may be an increased rate of diffusion in our alveoli. Sadly, because other parts or our body could not handle the heat, the increased rate of diffusion would be useless to a roasted and most likely dead human. Since our body cannot handle these intense pressures, the alveoli adapt to make the most out of the room temperature our body constantly finds itself in. There are four adaptations of the alveolus for gas exchange. First of all, although a single alveolus is tiny, there are hundreds of millions of alveoli in our lungs that make up a large surface area for gas exchange. Second, the alveolus is covered by a very thin wall that allows for a faster rate of diffusion through a shorter distance. Third, an alveolus is surrounded by a dense network of capillaries with low oxygen and high carbon dioxide concentrations, which promote diffusion of oxygen into the lungs and carbon dioxide out. Lastly, cells in the alveolus wall secrete a fluid that keeps the inner surface of the alveolus layer moist and makes it easier for gas to dissolve. This fluid also contains a natural detergent, which prevents the alveoli from sticking to each other.

        Although a higher temperature increases the speed of the molecules inside ammonium hydroxide and leads to a faster reaction rate, this does not apply to the alveoli inside the human body. Other parts of the body would not be able to adjust to blazing conditions, so the alveoli are forced to adapt for an efficient gas exchange under room temperature.