GASEOUS EXCHANGE

BY N.M GAGAZA
LESSON OUTCOMES
• Differentiation between cellular respiration, breathing and gas exchange

• Requirements of efficient gas exchange organs

•Human gas exchange

 structure, location, functions

and adaptations of the ventilation system

• ventilation of the lungs

• Homeostatic control of breathing

INTRODUCTION
• Breathing is a mechanical process of taking oxygen into the lungs.
• Cellular respiration refers to a chemical process which takes place
within cells in order to release energy. Plants and animals need
energy for survival.
• Gaseous exchange is a physical process which involves the exchange
of gases between the air and the blood in the lungs.
The requirements for an efficient gaseous
exchange surface.
REQUIREMENT REASON
LARGE a large surface area to volume ratio allows enough
oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse
THIN diffusion can occur more rapidly and efficiently if the
surface is thin and permeable
MOIST oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse when in dissolved
in water
PROTECTED all gaseous exchange surfaces need to be protected
from mechanical injury as well as from drying out
(desiccation)
TRANSPORT SYSTEM an efficient method of transporting gases to and from
the gaseous exchange surfaces is required
WELL-VENTILATED ensuring that oxygen rich air for terrestrial organisms
and oxygen rich water for aquatic organisms are
continually brought into contact with the gaseous
exchange surface
Comparison of the respiratory surfaces of various
groups of organisms
Comparison of the respiratory surfaces of various groups of
organisms
HUMAN GASEOUS EXCHANGE
HUMAN GASEOUS EXCHANGE
AIR PASSAGES
• 2 nostrils- air inhaled and exhaled
through nostrils
• 2 nasal cavitiescavities :
o are lined with epithelial and goblet cells
o mucous from the goblet cells together
with the cilia trap dirt and sweep it out
of the nose; keeps cavity moist
o blood capillaries warm the incoming air
 THROAT
• Pharynx
o connects the nasal cavity with larynx
o lined with mucous membranes
o leads into the trachea and the oesophagus
• Larynx: contains the vocal chords  air passes over the
chords and sound is produced
• Epiglottis
o a cartilage structure on top of the larynx (voice box)
o closes when food is swallowed preventing food from
entering the trachea
AIR PASSAGES
• Trachea
o windpipe is situated in front of the oesophagus
o C-shaped cartilage rings protect trachea and keep it open
for easy movement of air and allows the oesophagus to
stretch when swallowing
bronchus / bronchi
o trachea branches into left and right bronchi that enter
the upper lobes of the left and right lungs
o held open by O-shaped cartilage rings; lined with
mucous membranes
bronchiolus / bronchioli
o each bronchus divides into many branches, the bronchioli
o these passages are smaller and narrower and do not
have cartilage for reinforcement
TRACHEA
LOCATION IN
RELATION TO
OESOPHAGUS

• C-shaped cartilage rings

protect trachea and keep it
open for easy movement of air
and allows the oesophagus to
stretch when swallowing
 LUNGS
• Lungs
o each of the two spongy, elastic
lungs are surrounded by the
double pleural membrane
o pleural fluid acts as a lubricant
and helps prevent friction during
inhalation and exhalation
ALVEOLI
• bronchioli end in a collection of alveoli
(air sacs) that are sites for gaseous
exchange
• many alveoli increase the surface area
to maximise the gas exchange
• have thin walls of squamous epithelial
cells allowing for easy diffusion of gases
• tissue fluid keeps the walls of the alveoli
moist
• a large blood capillary network
surrounds the alveoli
ALVEOL
I
 RIBS AND MUSCLES INVOLVED IN
BREATHING
• Ribs: on either side of the sternum, protect
the lungs from injury
• intercostal muscles :found between the ribs
o contract and relax during inhalation and
exhalation altering the volume of air in the
chest (thoracic cavity)
• diaphragm :a sheet of muscle below the
lungs
o contracts and flattens altering the volume
of the chest cavity and is important in the
breathing
VENTILATION MECHANISM
VENTILATION (INHALATION)

DESCRIPTION STRUCTURE
• diaphragm muscle contracts, it flattens and
moves downwards
• external intercostal muscles between the
ribs contract
• ribcage lifts upwards and pushes outwards
• air pressure in the lungs decreases as the
chest volume increases
• atmospheric pressure is greater than the
pressure inside the lungs and air flows in
• inhalation is an active process involving
muscle contraction
VENTILATION (EXHALATION)

DESCRIPTION STRUCTURE
• diaphragm relaxes and moves upwards
• external intercostal muscles relax
• ribcage moves down and inward
• air pressure in lungs increases relative
to the outside air pressure
• air is forced out to equalize the
pressure
• exhalation is a passive process when
muscles relax
GASEOUS EXCHANGE
Gaseous exchange in the lungs at the
alveoli surface
• The air entering the alveoli after inhalation has a high oxygen concentration
compared to the oxygen concentration in the blood of the surrounding capillaries.
• The inhaled air has a lower carbon dioxide concentration than that of the blood in
the surrounding capillaries.
• This results in oxygen diffusing (moving) from the alveoli into the blood and
carbon dioxide diffusing (moving) from the blood and back into the alveoli.
• Gases are exchanged due to concentration gradients. Blood coming from the
heart and past the alveoli has a low oxygen concentration – deoxygenated blood.
• The blood that leaves the alveoli has a high concentration of oxygen – oxygenated
blood. The blood will take the oxygen to the cells where it is needed.
• The air in the alveoli will be exhaled with more carbon dioxide then the air that
had been inhaled.
Gaseous exchange between the
blood and tissues
• Oxygenated blood arrives from the heart in the capillary network close to tissue
cells.
• Oxygen will diffuse from the blood and into the neighboring cells due to the
concentration gradient.
• The cells will have high carbon dioxide concentrations due to continuing cellular
respiration.
• This carbon dioxide moves out of the cells and into the blood and is transported
back to the heart and then to the lungs where it is exhaled.
• The cells are also bathed in a tissue fluid which supplies the necessary moisture
for gaseous exchange.
• Oxygen is continually entering the blood stream at the alveoli surface and is
transported to the body cells. Carbon dioxide is transported from the cells to the
alveoli where it is removed from the body.
Transport of respiratory gases
• Oxygen is transported mainly by the red blood cells.
• Most of the oxygen combines with haemoglobin present in the red
blood cells (erythrocytes) to form oxyhaemoglobin.
• It is transported via the circulatory system to all body cells.
• Most of the CO2 is transported in the blood plasma in the form of
bicarbonate ions.
Homeostatic control of
breathing
• When at rest, humans have a normal, rhythmic breathing rate.
• The levels of carbon dioxide in the blood determine the rate and depth of
breathing.
• When a person begins exercising, cellular respiration is increased due to the
demand for oxygen and energy in the muscles.
• Carbon dioxide levels rise and the cells in the respiratory centre of the
medulla oblongata of the brain detect this.
• The body will respond to ensure that these levels do not reach dangerous
levels and respiratory muscles will be targeted.
• The ability of the body to return the levels to normal is known as
homeostasis.
The regulation of carbon dioxide levels
in the internal environment.
The effect of altitude on
gaseous exchange
• Altitude is a measure of the height of a place above sea level and is measured in metres.
• Altitude affects the exchange of gases.
• Johannesburg is at a high altitude. It is 1753 m above sea level.
• The air is ‘thinner’ or less dense than in a city like Durban which is at sea level or zero
altitude.
• This means that there is less oxygen in the air in Johannesburg and more air needs to be
inhaled to supply the body with enough oxygen.
• The concentration gradient of oxygen between the outside air and inside the body is low
in Johannesburg so diffusion of oxygen is slower. Less oxygen is absorbed by the red
blood cells at high altitudes.
• The body will compensate for this by trying to produce more red blood cells to help
carry more oxygen.
Diseases of the respiratory
system
Disease / Disorder Cause/s Symptoms Treatment/ Prevention

Bronchitis Viral, bacterial or fungal • Bronchi /bronchiole • Bronchi /bronchiole

infection of bronchi and red and swollen red and swollen
bronchioli (inflammation) (inflammation)
• Mucous • Mucous
• Fever • Fever

Hay Fever • Allergy to dust, pollen • Itchy eyes, nose and • Antihistamines
and spores(mould) throat • Eye drops
• Allergens are triggers • Inflammation of lining • Nose spray
of respiratory surfaces
• Mucous
• The release of
histamines causes
these symptoms
Disease/ Disorder Cause/s Symptoms Treatment/ Prevention
Asthma Allergic reaction to • Tight chest • Preventative medicines
substances • Difficulty in breathing • Steroid pumps
• Wheezing and • Anti-allergy medication
coughing
Emphysema • Inhalation of cigarette • Inefficient gas Oxygen ventilator
smoke exchange
• Exposure to dust from • Breathing difficulties
mining and noxious • Fluid in lungs
(poisonous) gases • Thick phlegm
Lung Cancer • Smoking of tobacco • Breathing difficulties • Surgery
• Exposure to • Blood in the sputum • Radiation
carcinogens (phlegm) • Chemotherapy
• Oxygen
Tuberculosis Bacterium, • Excessive coughing Antibiotics
Mycobacterium • Tiredness, weakness
tuberculosis • Loss of appetite and
weight