By:
Dr. Neeru Yadav
In living organisms, a respiratory system functions to allow
gas exchange.
The gases that are exchanged, the anatomy or structure of
the exchange system, and the precise physiological uses of
the exchanged gases vary depending on the organism.
In humans and other mammals, for example, the anatomical
features of the respiratory system include airways, lungs,
and the respiratory muscles.
Molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide are passively
exchanged, by diffusion, between the gaseous external
environment and the blood. This exchange process occurs
in the alveolar region of the lungs.
Oxygen is required by cells in the body to allow various
metabolic reactions to take place and to produce energy
and is therefore essential to life.
Pulmonary circulation
Pulmonary circulation is the portion of
the cardiovascular system which carries
oxygen-depleted blood away from the
heart, to the lungs, and returns
oxygenated blood back to the heart. The
term is contrasted with systemic
circulation.
For humans, respiration is essential.
The respiratory system can be subdivided into
an upper respiratory tract and a lower
respiratory tract based on anatomical
features.
The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal
passages, pharynx and the larynx.
While the trachea, the primary bronchi and
lungs are parts of the lower respiratory tract.
The respiratory system can also be divided
into physiological, or functional, zones. These
include the conducting zone (the region for
gas transport from the outside atmosphere to
just above the alveoli), the , and the
respiratory zone (the alveolar region where
gas exchange occurs).
Human Respiratory System
Components of the Upper Respiratory Tract
Upper Respiratory Tract Functions
Passageway for respiration
Receptors for smell
Filters incoming air to filter larger foreign
material
Moistens and warms incoming air
Resonating chambers for voice
Components of the Lower Respiratory Tract
Lower Respiratory Tract
Functions:
Larynx: maintains an open airway, routes
food and air appropriately, assists in
sound production
Trachea: transports air to and from lungs
Bronchi: branch into lungs
Lungs: transport air to alveoli for gas
exchange
Gas Exchange Between the Blood and Alveoli
Respiratory Cycle
Disorders of Respiratory
System
Reduced air flow: asthma, emphysema,
bronchitis
Infections: pneumonia, tuberculosis,
botulism
Lung cancer
Congestive heart failure
Measurement of Lung Function
Lung volumes refers to physical differences
in lung volume, while lung capacities represent
different combinations of lung volumes, usually
in relation to inhalation and exhalation.
The average pair of human lungs can hold
about 6 liters of air, but only a small amount of
this capacity is used during normal breathing.
Breathing mechanism in mammals is called
"tidal breathing". Tidal breathing means that air
goes into the lungs the same way that it
comes out.
An average human breathes some 10 times
per minute, 600 times per hour, 14,400 times
per day, or 5,256,000 times per year
Total Lung Capacity: The volume of
gas contained in the lung at the end of
maximal inspiration. The total volume
of the lung (i.e.: the volume of air in the
lungs after maximum inspiration).
Vital Capacity: The amount of air that
can be forced out of the lungs after a
maximal inspiration. Emphasis on
completeness of expiration. The
maximum volume of air that can be
voluntarily moved in and out of the
respiratory system.
Forced Vital Capacity: The amount of
air that can be maximally forced out of
the lungs after a maximal inspiration.
Emphasis on speed.
Tidal Volume: The amount of air
breathed in or out during normal
respiration. The volume of air an
individual is normally breathing in and
out .
Residual volume: The amount of air left in
the lungs after a maximal exhalation. The
amount of air that is always in the lungs and
can never be expired (i.e.: the amount of air
that stays in the lungs after maximum
expiration).
Expiratory reserve volume: The amount of
additional air that can be breathed out after
the end expiratory level of normal breathing.
(At the end of a normal breath, the lungs
contain the residual volume plus the
expiratory reserve volume, or around 2.4
litres. If one then goes on and exhales as
much as possible, only the residual volume of
1.2 litres remains).
Inspiratory reserve volume: The
additional air that can be inhaled after
a normal tidal breath in. The maximum
volume of air that can be inspired in
addition to the tidal volume.
Functional residual capacity: The
amount of air left in the lungs after a
tidal breath out. The amount of air that
stays in the lungs during normal
breathing.
Inspiratory capacity :The volume that
can be inhaled after a tidal breathe-out.
Dead space volume: the air that
remains in the airways and does not
participate in gas exchange
Measurement: spirometer
Four Respiration Processes
Breathing (ventilation): air in to and out of
lungs
External respiration: gas exchange
between air and blood
Internal respiration: gas exchange
between blood and tissues
Cellular respiration: oxygen use to
produce ATP, carbon dioxide as waste
EFFECT OF EXERCISE
Increase in Tidal Volume.
Diffusion Rate is Greater.
Increase in VO2 Max.
The diaphragm and intercostal muscles
grow stronger, so they can make your
chest cavity larger.
Your vital capacity increases so more
oxygen can be taken in with each breath
and more carbon dioxide removed.
More capillaries grow around the alveoli,
so more carbon dioxide and oxygen can
be swapped at any time. More efficient Gas
Exchange. This allows you to keep up
vigorous exercise for longer.
Note: Please be informed that this is the
study material only for the students of
Miranda House and not for any
publication anywhere.
THANK YOU
