Respiratory system
JAVIER CORNEJO
Introduction
Distinguish between ‘cell respiration’, ‘gas exchange’ and ‘ventilation’.
Respiration is the cellular process by which sugars and other substances are
broken down to release chemical energy for other cellular processes.
Gaseous (or gas) exchange is the exchange of respiratory gases (oxygen,
carbon dioxide) between cells/organisms and the environment. Occurs in the
alveoli of the lungs and in the tissues of respiring cells.
Ventilation (also breathing) is the movement of air into and out of the lungs.
o inspiration / breathing in / inhaling
o expiration / breathing out / exhaling
Introduction
Remember that breathing is the
result of the close coordination of
the respiratory and circulatory
systems.
Depending on your activity, your
heart rate speeds up or slows
down and you breathe faster or
slower.
© 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
How do lungs work?
https://youtu.be/8NUxvJS-_0k
Respiratory system
Body system that brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon
dioxide (gas exchange).
Includes the nose, trachea (or windpipe), and lungs.
The lungs contain the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.
Inhalation (inspiration) Movement of air (containing O2) into the
lungs.
Exhalation (expiration) Movement of air (containing CO2 and H2O)
from the lungs out of the airways.
© Pearson Education Limited 2014
© Pearson Education Limited 2014
Respiratory system
The upper respiratory tract
filters, warms, and moistens
oxygen-containing air, and
channels it into the lungs.
The lower respiratory tract
includes specialized structures
that exchange oxygen for carbon
dioxide in the bloodstream.
By BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons
Millions of alveoli give the
lungs a huge surface area.
The alveoli absorb oxygen
from the air you inhale.
Singular Plural
bronchus bronchi
alveolus alveoli
Mucous membranes
When air enters the nose, mucus that
lines the nasal passages warms and
moistens the air.
The mucus and tiny hairs called cilia,
help filter dust and pathogens from
the air.
By Blausen.com staff (2014)
Respiration
https://youtu.be/zRv5tNCMpyY
Gas exchange in the alveoli
ALVEOLI GAS EXCHANGES
Oxygen and carbon dioxide are
carried by the blood to and from capillary
the alveoli. alveolus
o O2 diffuses from alveoli into
Co2 diffuses
capillaries into alveolus.
co2
o O2 binds to hemoglobin in red
blood cells O2 diffuses
o2
into blood.
o CO2 diffuses from capillaries into
alveoli
The lining of the alveoli must be capillaries
moist to help gases diffuse.
© 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Gas exchange in the alveoli
ALVEOLI GAS EXCHANGES
Why does oxygen diffuse from the
alveolus into the capillary? capillary
alveolus
Why does carbon dioxide diffuse
in the opposite direction? Co2 diffuses
co2
into alveolus.
O2 diffuses
into blood.
o2
capillaries
© 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Gas exchange
External respiration takes place in
the lungs, between the air in the
alveoli and the blood in the
capillaries.
Internal respiration takes place
between the blood in the capillaries
and tissue cells.
Whenever diffusion occurs, there
must always be a concentration
gradient with a higher level of the
diffusing substance in one area
than in another.
Source: pdhpe.net
Importance of alveoli
Feature of alveoli Importance
many small, spherical alveoli provide a large area for gas exchange
thin walls of flattened single
short diffusion distance
cells
rich blood supply from maintains concentration gradient and
capillaries carries absorbed gases away rapidly
Alveoli
Alveoli are composed of specialized cells
called pneumocytes.
Pneumocytes are a type of epithelial cells
lining the air spaces of the lungs.
Type I pneumocytes are very thin but have
a very large membrane surface area,
making them well designed for diffusion.
Type II pneumocytes are cuboidal in shape
and thus have relatively little membrane
surface area.
© Oxford University Press 2014
Alveoli
Type II pneumocytes secrete a solution containing surfactant that
creates a moist surface inside the alveoli to prevent the sides of the
alveolus adhering to each other by reducing surface tension.
© Oxford University Press 2014
Relationship between
ventilation, gas exchange
and cell respiration.
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Limited 2014
The mechanics of breathing
Breathing involves the diaphragm and muscles of the rib cage.
The diaphragm is a dome-
shaped muscle that is Air inhaled. Air exhaled.
attached to the lower ribs
and separates the thorax Muscles and
rib cage relax.
Muscles contract and
(or thoracic cavity) from rib cage expands.
the abdomen.
Air flows from areas of
high pressure to low Diaphragm flattens Diaphragm relaxes
pressure. and moves downward. and rises.
https://ib.bioninja.com.au/_Media/breathing.mp4 © 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
The mechanics of breathing
There’s two sets of intercostal muscles between
the ribs: external and internal intercostal muscles.
Both are antagonistic muscles because they
have opposite effects when they contract.
External intercostal muscles are
involved in inhalation and gentle
exhalation.
Internal intercostal muscles are involved
during long or forced exhalations (e.g., while
singing or playing wind instruments.)
Source: pdhpe.net
The mechanics of breathing
© Cambridge University Press 2011
© Oxford University Press 2014
© Oxford University Press 2014
The mechanics of breathing
https://youtu.be/MPovpAXcmIU
Breathing regulation
Breathing is regulated by the medulla and midbrain
pons
pons in the brain stem.
medulla
These centers monitor dissolved gases oblongata
(such as CO2) in the blood. spinal chord
The medulla regulates how often and how
deeply you breathe based on your activity.
© 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Respiratory Health
Smoking is the leading cause of
lung diseases such as emphysema.
Smoking causes about 87% of
lung cancer cases.
When a person smokes for several
years, black tar deposits first
invade and then choke the tissue,
and greatly reduce gas exchange.
© 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Lung cancer
Uncontrolled and invasive
growth of abnormal cells in the
lungs.
The tumor is formed in the
bronchi or the alveoli.
It can cause shortness of breath,
coughing up blood, pain, fluid in
the chest (pleural effusion), and
metastasis.
© Blausen Medical Communications, Inc. / Wikimedia Commons
Risk factors for lung cancer
Source: BioNinja
Pneumonia
Infection or inflammation of one
or both lungs.
The alveoli are filled with pus
and other liquid blocking oxygen
from reaching the blood.
A variety of organisms, including
bacteria, viruses and fungi, can
cause pneumonia.
By BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons
Why is pneumonia so dangerous?
https://youtu.be/K_r-kMJjh8Y
Pleurisy
Swelling and irritation of the
pleurae, the membranes that
surround the lungs.
Causes include bacterial and
viral infections, lung cancer near
the pleural surface, rib fracture or
trauma, among others.
By BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons
Pleurisy
Occurs when the pleural lining
— two large, thin layers of tissue
that separate your lungs from
your chest wall — becomes
inflamed.
The two layers of the pleural
lining rub against each other like
two pieces of sandpaper. This
causes pain when you breathe in
and out.
Source: mayoclinic.org
Tonsillitis
Infection of the tonsils, which are
located in the pharynx.
Most often caused by common
viruses, but bacterial infections also
can be the cause.
Surgery to remove tonsils,
recommended only when tonsillitis
occurs frequently, doesn't respond
to other treatments or causes
serious complications.
By BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons
Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx and
vocal cords from overuse,
irritation or infection.
The primary symptom is
hoarseness or loss of voice.
May be short-lived (acute) or
long lasting (chronic).
By BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons
Cystic fibrosis
Genetic disease that alters the body's
respiratory, digestive, and
reproductive systems.
It affects the body's epithelial cells
that comprise the lining of the lungs,
pancreas, liver, sweat glands, digestive
tract, and reproductive system.
Production of abnormally thick, life-
threatening mucus secretions.
By BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons
Cystic fibrosis
The airways fill with thick,
sticky mucus, making it
difficult to breathe.
The thick mucus is also an
ideal breeding ground for
bacteria and fungi.
Source: mayoclinic.org
Emphysema
Obstructive respiratory disorder in
which the walls of the alveoli
breakdown and lose their elasticity
(alveoli are progressively destroyed).
This reduces the surface area for
gas exchange and causes oxygen
shortages in the tissues.
Symptoms include poor airflow,
shortness of breath, inability to force
out air.
© Blausen Medical Communications, Inc. / Wikimedia Commons
Understanding COPD
https://youtu.be/T1G9Rl65M-Q
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Bronchitis
Inflammation, irritation and
infection of the bronchi.
Bronchi are filled with mucus,
which is expelled by coughing.
May be either acute (usually
caused by viruses) or chronic
(often due to smoking).
By BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons
Asthma
Chronic disorder that results in
restricted breathing due to
inflammation or swelling of the
bronchial tube.
This leads to constriction of the
muscles around the airways,
causing the airways to become
narrow.
It can't be cured, but its
symptoms can be controlled.
By BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons
How does asthma work?
https://youtu.be/PzfLDi-sL3w
Full size
Source:
visualcapitalist.com
Respiratory System, Part 1: Crash Course A&P #31
https://youtu.be/bHZsvBdUC2I
Exercises
1. List the structures that a molecule of oxygen would pass on its way into
alveolus from the atmosphere.
2. List the three key characteristics of a gas exchange surface.
3. List the muscles involved in inhalation.
4. Distinguish between ‘gas exchange’ and ‘ventilation’ (use your own
words).
Exercises
5. List the five steps (in order) necessary for expiration, with the following
as your starting point:
o The diaphragm relaxes and the internal intercostal muscles and a second set
of abdominal muscles help to lower the rib cage. Collectively, these actions
decrease the volume of the thoracic cavity.
6. Stopping smoking seems like such an easy, simple thing for people to
do. Why do you think more people are not successful at stopping?
7. How are alveoli well adapted for efficient gas exchange?
8. Why are there two sets of muscles involved in ventilation (breathing)?
References
Allot, A., & Mindorff, D. (2014). Oxford IB Diploma Programme: Biology
Course Companion. Oxford University Press.
Cornell, B. (2016). Gas exchange. http://ib.bioninja.com.au.
Damon, A., McGonegal, R., Tosto, P. & Ward, W. (2014). Pearson
Baccalaureate: Standard Level Biology. Pearson Education Limited.
Nowicki, S. (2017). HMH Biology. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Company.
Primrose, D. M. (2019). Oxford IB Prepared: Biology. Oxford University
Press.
Walpole, B., Merson-Davies, A., & Dann, L. (2011). Biology for the IB
Diploma. Cambridge University Press.
