The amount of oxygen or carbon dioxide that diffuses across the membrane of an alveolus depends both on the differences in partial pressure on both sides of the membrane and on the surface area of the membrane. This describes which of the following?

A) Stokes-Einstein equation
B) Dalton's law of partial pressures
C) Charles's law
D) Fick's law of diffusion
E) Ideal gas law

Fick's Law

Fick's law describes the rate of diffusion of a substance across a membrane, based on the concentration gradient, membrane surface area, and diffusion distance.

Diffusion

The passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Alveolus

An air sac of the lung through which gas exchange with the blood takes place. Saclike unit of some glands (e.g., mammary glands). One of several flattened vesicles located just inside the plasma membrane in alveolate protists.