9 HUMAN GAS EXCHANGE BAZILAH 2023
RESPIRATION VS BREATHING
COMMON MISCONCEPTION!!
RESPIRATION VS BREATHING
BREATHING
RESPIRATION
The action of inflation and deflation of
Oxidation of food substances with the
the lungs with the help of intercostal and
release of energy in living cells.
diaphragm muscles.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (1)
1. Describe the features of gas exchange surfaces in humans
2. State the percentages of the gases in the atmospheric air
3. Investigate and explain the differences between inspired and expired air
4. Identify on diagrams and images, the larynx, trachea, trachea, lungs,
bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and associated blood capillaries
5. State the characteristics of, and describe the role of, the exchange surface
of the alveoli in gas exchange
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (2)
4. Identify on diagrams and images, the larynx, trachea, trachea, lungs,
bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and associated blood capillaries
5. State the characteristics of, and describe the role of, the exchange surface
of the alveoli in gas exchange
6. Explain the role of goblet cells, ciliated and mucus in protecting the gas
exchange system from pathogen and particles.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (3)
7. Identify, on diagrams and images, the ribs, internal and external
intercostal muscles and the diaphragm
8. Explain the role of the ribs, the internal and external intercostal muscles
and the diaphragm in producing volume and pressure changes in the
thorax, causing the movement of air into and out of the lungs
9. Investigate and explain the effect of physical activity on rate and depth of
breathing
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (1)
1.Describe the features of gas exchange surfaces in
humans
2.State the percentages of the gases in the
atmospheric air
3.Investigate and explain the differences between
inspired and expired air
STEPS TO SUCCESS (1)
1. Describe the features of gas exchange surfaces in humans, limited to:
Large surface area, thin surface, good blood and air supply
2. State the percentages of the gases in the atmospheric air (79% Nitrogen,
21% O2, 0.04% CO2, variable water vapour)
3. Investigate and explain the differences between inspired and expired air
(O2, CO2 and water vapour)
FEATURES OF RESPIRATORY SURFACES
Where do gaseous exchange takes
place in our body?
Lungs
FEATURES OF RESPIRATORY SURFACES
Why do we need respiratory
surfaces?
To get oxygen and
remove carbon dioxide
from our bodys
FEATURES OF RESPIRATORY SURFACES
What processes are involved in
our body taking in oxygen and
removing carbon dioxide?
Diffusion
FEATURES OF RESPIRATORY SURFACES
How can we ensure a rapid &
efficient diffusion to take place?
Large surface area
Short diffusion distance
Good blood supply
Big difference in concentration
1. LARGE SURFACE AREA
•There are millions of alveoli present
in the lungs
•This provides a very large surface
area for gaseous exchange
Fun Fact: The total respiratory surface of human lungs is about 100
m2, equal to the surface area of a tennis court!
2. THIN EPITHELIUM
•Oxygen and carbon dioxide only
need to pass through two-cell layer:
1. The alveolar wall
2. The capillaries wall
This ensure a short distance for
diffusion
3. GOOD BLOOD
SUPPLY
•Alveoli are
surrounded by
network of blood
capillaries
•The blood removes
oxygen all the time
(to cells for
respiration)
3. GOOD BLOOD SUPPLY
•This ensure oxygen concentration in the
blood low in the blood capillaries all the
time
•This help maintain a steep diffusion gradient
•Therefore allowing a rapid diffusion of
oxygen from air passage into the alveolar
wall
3. GOOD BLOOD SUPPLY
•Carbon dioxide from the blood
diffuses into the alveoli
continuously
•Carbon dioxide is removed as
we breathe out (when we
ventilate)
3. GOOD BLOOD SUPPLY
•As we ventilate, this
remove carbon dioxide
from our alveoli
•Therefore, this maintains a
low concentration of
carbon dioxide
(maintaining concentration
gradient!)
•Encouraging carbon
dioxide to be diffused
from alveoli lining into the
bronchioles
3. VENTILATION
•Ventilation of the lungs (breathing) helps
to maintain a steep diffusion gradient
between:
1. Air in the end of the air passage
2. Alveolar air
3. VENTILATION
•There will be a:
•High concentration of oxygen in
the air inside the alveoli
•Low concentration of carbon
dioxide in the air inside the alveoli
•Because air is constantly
replaced by the breathing
action
PERCENTAGE OF GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERIC AIR
(INSPIRED / INHALED AIR)
GASES PERCENTAGE
NITROGEN 79%
OXYGEN 21%
CARBON DIOXIDE 0.04%
WATER VAPOUR VARIABLE
PERCENTAGE OF GASES IN THE EXPIRED AIR
(EXHALED)
GASES PERCENTAGE
NITROGEN 79%
OXYGEN 16%
CARBON DIOXIDE 4%
WATER VAPOUR SATURATED
COMPARING THE COMPOSITION OF
INSPIRED AIR AND EXPIRED AIR
GASES INSPIRED EXPIRED
NITROGEN 79% 79%
OXYGEN 21% 16%
CARBON DIOXIDE 0.04% 4%
WATER VAPOUR VARIABLE SATURATED
THE COMPOSITION OF
INSPIRED AND EXPIRED AIR
Inspired air Expired air
Oxygen About 21% About 16%
Carbon dioxide About 0.03% About 4.0%
Nitrogen About 78% About 78%
Water vapour Variable (rarely saturated) Saturated
Temperature Variable About body temperature 37ºC
Dust particles Variable, but usually present Little, if any
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (1)
1. Describe the features of gas exchange surfaces in humans
2. State the percentages of the gases in the atmospheric air
3. Investigate and explain the differences between inspired and expired air
4. Identify on diagrams and images, the larynx, trachea, trachea, lungs,
bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and associated blood capillaries
5. State the characteristics of, and describe the role of, the exchange surface
of the alveoli in gas exchange
STEPS TO SUCCESS (1)
1. Describe the features of gas exchange surfaces in humans, limited to:
Large surface area, thin surface, good blood and air supply
2. State the percentages of the gases in the atmospheric air (79% Nitrogen,
21% O2, 0.04% CO2, variable water vapour)
3. Investigate and explain the differences between inspired and expired air
(O2, CO2 and water vapour)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (2)
4. Identify on diagrams and images, the organs
present in respiratory system
5. State the characteristics of, and describe the role
of, the exchange surface of the alveoli in gas
exchange
6. Explain the role of goblet cells, ciliated and mucus
STEPS TO SUCCESS (2)
4. Identify on diagrams and images, the larynx, trachea, trachea, lungs,
bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and associated blood capillaries
5. State the characteristics of, and describe the role of, the exchange surface
of the alveoli in gas exchange: Thin, moist and have a good supply of
blood capillaries
6. Explain the role of goblet cells, ciliated and mucus in protecting the gas
exchange system from pathogen and particles.
THE LUNGS
Larynx
Bronchi
Trachea
Bronchioles
Alveoli
THE LUNGS
Bronchi
Trachea
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Alveolus (singular)
TRACHEA
STRUCTURE: Trachea
- A tube running from pharynx to the
lung
- Held permanently open by C-
shaped rings of cartilage in its wall
- Inner lining is lined with cilia and
goblet cells
TRACHEA
FUNCTION: Trachea
- Allow air to pass through to lungs
- Cartilage rings: keep trachea permanently open
- Cartilage rings: prevent trachea from collapsing
during inhalation when the internal air pressure is
low
- Cilia and goblet cells: remove germs and dust
from air by passing mucus up the digestive
tract.
BRONCHI
Bronchi
STRUCTURE & FUNCTION:
- At the end of trachea, trachea
divides to form two branches called
the Bronchi (Singular: Bronchus)
- Structurally and functionally similar
to trachea
BRONCHIOLES
STRUCTURE & FUNCTION: Bronchioles
- At the end of Bronchi, bronchi
divides to form smaller branches
called the Bronchioles (Singular:
Bronchiole)
- They are about 0.5mm in diameter
- Structurally and functionally similar
to trachea
EPIGLOTTIS
Bronchioles
STRUCTURE
- A flap of tissue at the top of the
trachea
FUNCTION
- stop food and drink from entering
the air passage when we swallow
ALVEOLI (ALVEOLUS – SINGULAR)
STRUCTURE:
- Air sacs found at the end of
bronchioles
- There is about 300 million alveoli in
one set of human lungs
- Each alveolus is 0.2mm in diameter
Alveoli
ALVEOLI (ALVEOLUS – SINGULAR)
STRUCTURE:
- Walls are covered with a film
of water
- Cells are only one cell thick
- Alveoli are richly supplied with
blood capillaries Alveoli
ALVEOLI
ADAPTATION TO FUNCTION:
- 1 Millions of alveoli – to provide
large surface area for gaseous
exchange
- 2 Film of water – to dissolve
respiratory gases before they
diffuse Alveoli
ALVEOLI
ADAPTATION TO FUNCTION:
- 3 Thin – to facilitates diffusion of
respiratory gases
- 4 Blood capillaries – allow rapid
transport of the respiratory gases
for gaseous exchange
Alveoli
1
9 Adaptation 1
Adaptation
2
4
6 3
Adaptation
3
5
WHY IS THERE LITTLE DUST IN EXPIRED AIR?
WHY IS THERE LITTLE DUST IN EXPIRED AIR?
PROTECTION OF THE GAS EXCHANGE
SYSTEM FROM PATHOGENS AND
PARTICLES
PATHOGEN:
- Disease causing organisms
PATHOGENS & PARTICLES:
- Present in the air we breathe in
and may be dangerous if not
removed.
PROTECTION OF THE GAS EXCHANGE SYSTEM
FROM PATHOGENS AND PARTICLES
Adaptations of the gas
exchange system:
1. Goblet cells
2. Ciliated cells
1. GOBLET CELLS
- Found in the epithelial
lining of trachea, bronchi
and bronchioles
- Function: To secrete mucus
1. GOBLET CELLS
- Mucus forms a thin film
over the internal lining
- This mucus traps pathogen
and small particles to
prevent them from
entering the alveoli
2. CILIATED CELLS
- Found in the epithelial lining
of respiratory tract
- Function: They continually
move in a flicking motion to
move the mucus upwards and
away from the lungs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (2)
4. Identify on diagrams and images, the organs
present in respiratory system
5. State the characteristics of, and describe the role
of, the exchange surface of the alveoli in gas
exchange
6. Explain the role of goblet cells, ciliated and mucus
STEPS TO SUCCESS (2)
4. Identify on diagrams and images, the larynx, trachea, trachea, lungs,
bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and associated blood capillaries
5. State the characteristics of, and describe the role of, the exchange surface
of the alveoli in gas exchange: Thin, moist and have a good supply of
blood capillaries
6. Explain the role of goblet cells, ciliated and mucus in protecting the gas
exchange system from pathogen and particles.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (3)
7. Identify, on diagrams and images, the ribs, internal and external
intercostal muscles and the diaphragm
8. Explain the role of the ribs, the internal and external intercostal muscles
and the diaphragm in producing volume and pressure changes in the
thorax, causing the movement of air into and out of the lungs
9. Investigate and explain the effect of physical activity on rate and depth of
breathing
STEPS TO SUCCESS (3)
7. Identify, on diagrams and images, the ribs, internal and external
intercostal muscles and the diaphragm
8. Explain the role of the ribs, the internal and external intercostal muscles
and the diaphragm in producing volume and pressure changes in the
thorax, causing the movement of air into and out of the lungs
9. Investigate and explain the effect of physical activity on rate and depth of
breathing
BUILDING A MODEL OF LUNG
BUILDING A MODEL OF LUNG: APPARATUS LIST
1. 600mL plastic bottle (with base cut off)
2. 2 round balloons (30 cm diameter)
3. plastic straw
4. rubber band
5. sticky tape
6. scissors
7. ball of plasticine (4 cm diameter)
WHY DOES THE BALLOON GET INFLATED WHEN
THE BASE IS PULLED DOWNWARDS?
WHY DOES THE BALLOON GET DEFLATED WHEN
THE BASE IS PULLED UPWARDS?
BREATHING
HOW ARE THE
LUNGS INFLATED
AND DEFLATED?
With the help of 2 muscles:
1
Intercostal muscles
(Present between the ribs)
2
Diaphragm muscles
(Present below the lungs)
These muscles work together to alter the volume of the thoracic cavity
This changes the pressure within the thoracic cavity
BREATHING
NOTE THAT:
- When muscle contracts
– it becomes shorter
- When muscle relaxes
– its at its original
length
DURING INSPIRATION (BREATHING IN)
CONTRACTS / VOLUME OF
MUSCLE EFFECT
RELAXES THORAX
EXTERNAL
INTERCOASTAL RIBS SWING UP
CONTRACTS INCREASES
MUSCLE AND OUT
DIAPHRAGM CONTRACTS BECOMES FLAT INCREASES
▪This causes an increase in volume of thorax, therefore
decreasing its pressure
▪Air from atmosphere (have higher pressure) is then forced in
▪Allows air to pass through mouth, nose, trachea, bronchi and
bronchioles into the alveoli to allow gaseous exchange
DURING EXPIRATION (BREATHING OUT)
CONTRACTS / VOLUME OF
MUSCLE EFFECT
RELAXES THORAX
EXTERNAL
INTERCOASTAL RIBS SWING
RELAXES DECREASES
MUSCLE DOWN AND IN
DIAPHRAGM RELAXES DOMED UPWARDS DECREASES
▪This causes an decrease in volume of thorax, therefore
increasing its pressure
▪Air from atmosphere (have lower pressure) is then forced out
▪Air passes out of alveoli, into bronchioles, bronchi, trachea,
mouth, nose and back into the atmosphere
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
1
Chronic bronchitis
2
Emphysema
2
Lung Cancer
CHRONIC
BRONCHITIS
Where:
- Bronchi and bronchioles
Symptoms:
-Distressing cough
CHRONIC
BRONCHITIS
Air passageway is inflamed
- Leads to overproduction of mucus
- This will block the bronchi and
bronchioles
- Breathing will be difficult and hence
decreases the efficiency of gaseous
exchange process
- Less oxygen reaches blood – may
affect normal functioning of other
organ (heart and brain)
EMPHYSEMA
EMPHYSEMA
The walls of alveoli becomes stretched
and loses their elasticity
This causes:
-- Alveoli cannot empty properly
-- Hence creating a buildup of carbon
dioxide in the lungs
-Symptoms:
-- Breathlessness
EMPHYSEMA OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
LUNG CANCER
Cancer: When cells started to divide
uncontrollably!
Lung cancer:
- Cells in lungs divide uncontrollably!
- This causes thickened tissues
- Causes difficulty in allowing gases to
move / pass
This may be fatal unless treated early
END OF TOPIC
