Respiratory System

Purpose- Gas exchange of O2 and CO2 between the organism and the outside environment

Requirements for Gas exchange at the respiratory surface: Thin-walled –(so gases can freely diffuse across) Moist- (O2 and CO2 must be in solution or dissolved) In contact with O2 source-(outside environment) In contact with transport system carrying dissolved gases (Circulatory system/Blood)

Examples of gas respiratory surfaces used for exchange Protists (Amoeba/Paramecium) Surface: Cell membrane Method: Simple direct diffusion through cell membrane to water Earthworm Surface: moist skin Method: diffusion through moist mucus coated skin into blood vessels (has hemoglobin to help)

Examples of gas respiratory surfaces used for exchange Fish Surface: Gills Method: diffusion from water to blood vessels in the gills Grasshopper Surface: air tubes & sacs Method: air comes in through spiracles, through the air tubes, moved by muscle contraction (no hemoglobin/blood used)

Human Respiratory System Surface: Moist air sacs (alveoli) Method: diffusion across air sacs into blood stream (use hemoglobin to increase amount of O2 that blood can carry)

Alveoli

Structures: Structure Function Voice Box- contains the vocal cords Epiglottis Covers the trachea, prevents food from entering the windpipe Pharynx (Throat) Throat area where air enters from the nose and mouth Larynx Voice Box- contains the vocal cords Vocal cord Bands of tissue stretched and relaxed to produce sound

Structures: Connects the mouth and the stomach for food Trachea Windpipe- carries air from pharynx to and from the lungs Cartilage rings to keep it open C- shaped Esophagus Connects the mouth and the stomach for food Lungs Mass of air sacs (alveoli) where O2 and CO2 are exchanged Nasal Cavity Warms and cleans (filters) the air Bronchi Two branches of Trachea, connects the trachea to the bronchioles

Structures: Tiny air sacs in lungs where gas exchange occurs Bronchioles Tiny air tubes branching from the bronchi to the alveoli Alveoli Tiny air sacs in lungs where gas exchange occurs (into the blood) Diaphragm Moves up and down causing pressure that forces air into and out of the lungs

Breathing Process Four Stages of Gas Exchange : 1. Breathing- movement of air in and out of the lungs Inhalation - chest cavity increases Diaphragm contracts (flattens) and lowers Ribs raise up and out Lungs inflate because during breathing negative pressure creates a vacuum which “sucks” air into the lungs

Four Stages of Gas Exchange : Exhalation - chest cavity is decreases Diaphragm relaxes and moves upward Ribs drop down and in Lungs deflate because positive pressure pushes the air out of the lungs

Four Stages of Gas Exchange : 2. External respiration- exchange of gases between outside air and bloodstream in the air sacs Mucus coats air sacs (alveoli) to moisten them O2 diffuses across air sacs into capillaries of air sacs and CO2 diffuses in the opposite direction O2 attaches itself to hemoglobin on the red blood cells

Four Stages of Gas Exchange : 3. Transport- movement of gases in the blood between the cells to the lungs (circulatory system) 4. Internal respiration- exchange of gases between the blood stream and the cells of the body At the capillaries, O2 diffuses into the intracellular fluid and then into the body cells & CO2 diffuses in the opposite direction

CO2 Transport 80% of CO2 dissolves in the Plasma and/or combines with water in the plasma to make carbonic acid (H2CO3) 20% of CO2 is carried by hemoglobin back to lungs

Respiratory Disorders Asthma- severe allergic reaction where bronchioles go into spasm and squeeze air passages making it difficult to breathe Treatment- medication (inhaler)

Respiratory Disorders Bronchitis- Bronchial tubes become irritated and swollen, and alveoli become swollen and clogged with mucus making it difficult to breathe Treatment- antibiotics if bacterial infection

Respiratory Disorders Emphysema- lungs lose their elasticity and the air sacs become damaged and it leads to shallow breathing and even death. Most disease is caused by years of smoking. Treatment- stop smoking and use of O2 tank for additional help

Respiratory Disorders Cystic Fibrosis- Body produces too much mucus and the person is unable to breathe and have frequent infections Treatment- gene therapy