Gas Exchange Structures & Functions

Features of Gas Exchange Surfaces

• The surfaces where gas exchange occurs in an organism are very
different and different organisms have evolved different
mechanisms for getting the gases to the gas exchange surface
depending on size, where they live etc.
• All gas exchange surfaces have features in common
• These features allow the maximum amount of gases to be exchanged across the
surface in the smallest amount of time
They include
-Large surface area to allow faster diffusion of gases across the surface
-Thin walls to ensure diffusion distances remain short
- Good ventilation with air so that diffusion gradients can be
maintained
-Good blood supply to maintain a high concentration gradient so
diffusion occurs faster
The alveolus is the gas exchange surface in humans
Exam Tip

• You may notice that several of the

features of alveoli that make them
suited to their function are the same
as those that make villi suited to their
function; or root hair suited to their • If you learn the features for
function – the reason for this is one, you also know many of
because all these structures are the features of the others!
involved in transporting substances
across their surfaces – by diffusion,
active transport, osmosis or a
combination.

Structures in the human breathing system

 3D Structure of the human breathing system

What are the parts of the Gas exchange system?

• The gas exchange system has many different parts that work together to help
you breathe. Each group of parts has many separate components.
• Your airways deliver air to your lungs. Your airways are a complicated system
that includes your:
• Mouth and nose: Openings that pull air from outside your body into your gas
exchange system.
What are the parts of the gas exchange system?
• Pharynx (throat): Tube that delivers air from your mouth and nose to the
trachea (windpipe).
• Trachea: Passage connecting your throat and lungs.
• Bronchi: Tubes at the bottom of your windpipe that connect into each lung.
• Lungs: Two organs that remove oxygen from the air and pass it into your blood.
From your lungs, your bloodstream delivers oxygen to all your organs and other
tissues
• Muscles and bones: help move the air you inhale into and out of your lungs.
Some of the bones and muscles in the respiratory system include your:
 • Diaphragm: Muscle that helps your lungs pull in air and push it out.
• Ribs: Bones that surround and protect your lungs and heart.
• When you breathe out, your blood carries carbon dioxide and other waste out of
the body. Other components that work with the lungs and blood vessels include:
• Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide takes place
• Bronchioles: Small branches of the bronchial tubes that lead to the alveoli.
What are the parts of the respiratory system?
• Capillaries: Blood vessels in the alveoli walls that move oxygen and carbon
dioxide.
• Lung lobes: Sections of the lungs — three lobes in the right lung and two in the
left lung.
• Pleura: Thin sacs that surround each lung lobe and separate your lungs from the
chest wall.
Some other components of the gas exchange system include:
• Cilia: Tiny hairs that move in a wave-like motion to filter dust and other irritants
out of your airways
• Epiglottis: Tissue flap at the entrance to the trachea that closes when you
swallow to keep food and liquids out of your airway.
• Larynx (voice box): Hollow organ that allows you to talk and make sounds when
air moves in and out.
The Intercostal Muscles
• Muscles are only able to pull on bones, not push on them
• This means that there must be two sets of intercostal muscles; one to pull the
rib cage up and another set to pull it down
• One set of intercostal muscles is found on the outside of the ribcage (the
external intercostal muscles)
• The other set is found on the inside of the rib cage (the internal intercostal
muscles)
There are 2 sets of intercostal muscles: the external, on the outside of the rib cage,
and the internal, on the inside of the rib cage

The Trachea
• Rings of cartilage surround the trachea (and bronchi)
• The function of the cartilage is to support the airways and keep them open
during breathing
• It allows the air to move down to the alveoli
• If they were not present then the sides could collapse inwards when the air
pressure inside the tubes drops
The Function of Cilia & Mucus
• The passages down to the lungs are lined with ciliated epithelial cells
• Cilia comes from the Latin for eyelash, so unsurprisingly these cells have tiny
hairs on the end of them that beat and push mucus up the passages towards the
nose and throat where it can be removed
• The mucus is made by special mucus-producing cells called goblet cells because
they are shaped like a goblet, or cup
 • The mucus traps particles, pathogens like bacteria or viruses, and dust and
prevents them getting into the lungs and damaging the cells there
Goblet cup ideas

Mucus traps particles, dust and pathogens and cilia beat and push it up and away
from the lungs
Structure of the trachea showing the cartilages and ciliated cells

Exam Tip
• The function of cilia and mucus is often a 3-mark question on the extended
paper. The examiners are looking for you to state the following:
• The mucus is produced by goblet cells and traps bacteria, dust, particles
• The cilia beat and push the mucus away from the lungs towards the throat
 • This is quite simple, but often marks are lost as students haven’t been precise
enough with their explanations!
Ventilation of the Lungs

Inhalation & Exhalation

• The diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the
abdomen; it is ultimately responsible for controlling ventilation in the lungs
• When the diaphragm contracts it flattens and this increases the volume of the
chest cavity (thorax), which consequently leads to a decrease in air pressure
inside the lungs relative to outside the body, drawing air in.
• When the diaphragm relaxes it moves upwards back into its domed shape and
this decreases the volume of the chest cavity (thorax), which consequently leads
 to an increase in air pressure inside the lungs relative to outside the body,
forcing air out
• The external and internal intercostal muscles work as antagonistic pairs
(meaning they work in different directions to each other)
• During inhalation the external set of intercostal muscles contract to pull the ribs
up and out:
This also increases the volume of the chest cavity (thorax), decreasing air pressure,
drawing air in
• During exhalation, the external set of intercostal muscles relax so the ribs drop
down and in:
This decreases the volume of the chest cavity (thorax) increasing air pressure, forcing
air out
• When we need to increase the rate of gas exchange (for example during
strenuous activity) the internal intercostal muscles will also work to pull the ribs
down and in to decrease the volume of the thorax more, forcing air out more
forcefully and quickly – this is called forced exhalation
There is actually a greater need to rid the body of increased levels of carbon dioxide
produced during strenuous activity!
• This allows a greater volume of gases to be exchanged
Exam Tip
• You may see the terms inhalation OR inspiration (breathing in), and exhalation
OR expiration (breathing out). Both sets of terms mean exactly the same thing,
so don’t let them confuse you!
• This sequence of events is a common exam question and you should be able to
explain in detail what is happening to the external and internal intercostal
muscles, the rib cage, the diaphragm, the volume and the pressure-volume of
the lungs when breathing in and out.
• Remember, if you learn one, the other is almost exactly the opposite.
Differences between Inhaled & Exhaled Air
• Air that is breathed in and air that is breathed out has different amounts of
gases in it due to exchanges that take place in the alveoli
• Atmospheric air contains around 20 – 21% oxygen, of which we only absorb
around 4 – 5%, breathing out air containing around 16% oxygen
• Normal carbon dioxide content of air is around 0.04% and, as carbon dioxide
diffuses into the alveoli from the blood, we breathe out air containing around
4% carbon dioxide
• The air we breathe out contains more water vapour than when we breathe it in,
and the temperature of exhaled air is higher than inhaled air

Inhaled & Exhaled Air

Composition of air
Reasons for Differences in Inhaled & Exhaled Air

Effect of Exercise on Breathing

Investigating the Effect of Exercise on Breathing
• Exercise increases the frequency and depth of breathing
• This can be investigated by counting the breaths taken during one minute at rest
and measuring average chest expansion over 5 breaths using a tape measure
held around the chest
• Exercise for a set time (at least 3 minutes)
• Immediately after exercising, count the breaths taken in one minute and
measure the average chest expansion over 5 breaths
• Following exercise, the number of breaths per minute will have increased and
the chest expansion will also have increased
Explaining the Effect of Exercise on Breathing
Carbon Dioxide Concentration & the Brain
• As respiration rates increase, more carbon dioxide is produced and enters the
blood
• Carbon dioxide is an acidic gas in solution and so it can affect the working of
enzymes in the cells and needs to be removed as quickly as possible
• As blood flows through the brain, the increase in carbon dioxide concentration
stimulates receptor cells
• These send impulses to the muscles of the lungs, causing them to contract faster
and more strongly
• This causes the frequency and depth of breathing to increase until the carbon
dioxide concentration of the blood has lowered sufficiently