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BREATHING SYSTEM

OBJECTIVES
 Describe the role of the exchange surface of the alveoli in gaseous exchange
 Describe the role of the diaphragm in, ribs and intercostal muscles in breathing
 Investigate the effect of physical activity on the rate and depth of breathing
 Identify on diagrams and name the larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and associated
capillaries
 Describe the effects of tobacco smoke and its major toxic compounds (nicotine, tar, and carbon
monoxide) on health: strong association with bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer and heart diseases,
and the association between smoking during pregnancy and reduced birthweight

This system is found in most multicellular organisms. The smaller, less complex organisms do not have it, gases
rather diffuse directly across to and from their environments.

Breathing is also called External respiration; because O2 (a gaseous reactant) enters through this system and CO2
(a gaseous waste product) is excreted through it.

(Structure of the breathing system)

Functions of parts;

1. Larynx – contains vocal cords made of fine filaments and it vibrates when air passes through it to produce
sound.

2. Trachea – A tube strengthened with rings of cartilages to prevent it from collapsing. The inner walls of
trachea is lined with;
Cells which produce mucus ( goblet cells)
Cells with cilia – cilia beat in a coordinated and synchronized pattern to move the mucus towards
the pharynx where it can be swallowed voluntarily. ( ciliated cells)
3. Bronchus – a tube branching from the trachea, and is similar in structure to the trachea. It directs air to
the lungs.
Each bronchus branches into smaller microscopic tubes called bronchioles which lead to sac-
like structures called the alveoli.
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4. Alveoli – are air sacs found in the lungs, with one- cell thick walls. Alveoli increase the surface area for
exchange of gases. Each alveolus is surrounded by a network of blood capillaries.
5. Intercostal muscles – These are two sets of muscles found between the ribs. The external intercostal
muscles contract to raise the ribcage during inspiration in order to increase the lung capacity whilst the
internal intercostal muscles contract lower the ribcage during expiration in order to squeeze air out of the
lungs.
6. Pleural membrane secretes Pleural fluids Lubricates ribs and lungs to prevent damage during movement.
7. Diaphragm – a sheet of tissue with muscles at the bottom end of the thoracic cavity which can contract /
relax to alter the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Gaseous Exchange in the alveolus

Gaseous exchange refers to diffusion of O2 into cells and the diffusion of CO2 out of the cells.

Structure Of An Alveolus

Ventilation

At the exchange surfaces of the alveoli;

 The body gains oxygen from inhaled air
 The body gives up carbon dioxide produced from respiration to the exhaled air.

Absorption of oxygen
 From the inhaled air Oxygen dissolves in the film of moisture
 oxygen then diffuses through the walls of alveoli and capillaries into the blood.
 Low concentration of Oxygen in the blood causes Oxygen to diffuse into blood
 Oxygen then diffuses into the red blood cells where it combines with haemoglobin to form a complex
called oxyhaemoglobin
 At body cells where there is low concentration of Oxygen the oxyhaemoglobin breaks down to release
oxygen

Oxyhaemoglobin Oxygen + haemoglobin

Removal of carbon dioxide

 From the body cells carbon dioxide diffuses into the blood
 At the lungs carbon dioxide then diffuses down its concentration gradient from the blood plasma across
the capillary walls into the alveoli.
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Adaptations of the alveolus for gaseous exchange

1. The alveolus has a very thin epithelium that enables gases to diffuse quickly across the membrane
2. There is a network of blood capillaries around every alveolus for rapid gaseous exchange
3. There are many alveoli which serve to increase the surface area for gaseous exchange
4. There is a thin film of moisture that dissolves the oxygen before it diffuses
5. There is ventilation in bronchioles connected to the alveoli which sets up a steep diffusion gradient of
gases between the blood and the alveolus

What happens during breathing?

INSPIRATION / INHALATION (Breathing in) EXPIRATION / EXHALATION (Breathing out)

1. External intercostal muscles contract 1. Internal intercostal muscles contract and this
And this pulls ribcage upwards & outwards pushes the ribcage inwards & downwards

2. The diaphragm muscle contract to flatten the 2. The diaphragm muscle relax to push it
diaphragm thus increasing the volume of the chest upwards into dome shape thus decreasing the
cavity and reducing the pressure volume of the chest cavity and increasing the
pressure

3. As a result air rushes into the lings 3. As a result air is forced out of the lungs

EFFECT OF TOBACCO SMOKING ON HEALTH

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Substances contained in tobacco smoke are:

- Tar
- Nicotine
- Carbon monoxide

These substances are strongly associated with the following diseases:

1. Lung cancer
2. heart disease
3. Emphysema
4. Bronchitis

1. Lung cancer;
Tar contains substances known as carcinogens which promote the abnormal multiplication of cells in the lungs
leading to a condition known as lung cancer

2. Heart disease;
The nicotine constricts the blood vessel and triggers the secretion of adrenaline. Adrenaline causes an increase in
the heartbeat rate. The combined effects result in the increase in blood pressure causing damage in the lining of
the blood vessels leading to blood clotting. The clots block coronary arteries. The heart muscles will therefore
receive little or no oxygen resulting in heart attack.

3. Emphysema
This is the breakdown of the alveoli. Tar accumulates in the air passages and also weakens the walls of the
alveoli causing them to lose their elasticity. Coughing due to irritation of tar in the air passages result in the
weakened alveoli breaking.

4. Bronchitis;
Tar stimulates the Goblet cells to produce more mucus and also paralyses/destroys cilia leading to excessive
accumulation of mucus in the air passages. This leads to inflammation of the bronchi, a condition known as
bronchitis.

Dangers of Tobacco Smoking during pregnancy

Nicotine & carbon monoxide can pass across the placenta to the foetus. This can cause serious harm to the baby
such as;
 Miscarriage
 Still birth
 Reduced birth weight

Carbon dioxide binds irreversibly with haemoglobin reducing oxygen carrying capacity. These results in less
energy released from respiration for cell division and growth of the baby. Nicotine triggers the secretion of
adrenaline in the body which increases blood pressure. Increase in blood pressure ruptures the delicate blood
vessels in the lining of uterus wall resulting in miscarriage.
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Activity; Effect of physical activity on breathing rate & depth

How many times do you breathe in & out in a minute when at rest?_________________________
What can you say about your breathing, is it deeper or shallower?_____________________
Make a short fast sprint (or jump 30 times steadily)
Now count your number of breaths per minute after the short exercise__________________
What can you say about your breathing, is it deeper or shallower?_____________________
How does your breathing before the exercise compare to the breathing after the exercise?
_____________________________________________________________________________

The number of breaths per minute is called the breathing rate

- When you breathe fast we say your breathing rate is high
- When you breathe in & out you draw a certain volume of air into or out of the lungs
respectively. The depth of your breath is a measure of the volume of air you take in or out
during breathing. The maximum volume of air one can breathe per single breath is called
the Vital volume or Vital capacity.

Note;
Vigorous physical activities like running, swimming & cycling can increase the breathing rate and
depth. i.e. during such exercises you breathe faster and deeper. There is high demand of energy in
working muscle hence need for more oxygen.
A relaxed adult makes 16 breaths per minute and draws  500cm3 of air into & out of the lungs per
breath.
During a vigorous activity, the adult makes 30 breaths per minute and draws 3500cm3 of air per
breath.