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30 views3 pages

CH 3

Uploaded by

sallu bhai
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Chapter 3: Breathing and Gas Exchange

Breathing and gas exchange are vital processes that allow organisms to obtain
oxygen for cellular respiration and expel carbon dioxide, a waste product. This
chapter covers the structure of the human respiratory system, the mechanics of
breathing, and the process of gas exchange.

1. Structure of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system is composed of several structures that facilitate the intake
of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide:

• Nasal Cavity: Warms, moistens, and filters the air as it is inhaled.


• Trachea (Windpipe): A tube supported by C-shaped cartilage rings, which
keep the airway open and prevent collapse.
• Bronchi: The trachea divides into two bronchi (one for each lung),
which further branch into smaller tubes within the lungs.
• Bronchioles: Smaller tubes that branch off from the bronchi, spreading
throughout the lungs.
• Alveoli: Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles, where gas
exchange occurs. The walls of the alveoli are thin and surrounded by capillaries.
• Diaphragm: A muscle below the lungs that helps control breathing.
• Intercostal Muscles: Muscles between the ribs that assist in the
expansion and contraction of the chest cavity.

2. Mechanics of Breathing

Breathing involves two main processes: inhalation (inspiration) and exhalation


(expiration).

a. Inhalation (Inspiration)

During inhalation:

• The diaphragm contracts and flattens, moving downward.


• The external intercostal muscles contract, pulling the ribcage up and
out.
• The volume of the chest cavity increases, creating a lower pressure
inside the lungs than outside the body.
• Air is drawn into the lungs to equalize the pressure.

b. Exhalation (Expiration)

During exhalation:

• The diaphragm relaxes and returns to a dome shape.


• The external intercostal muscles relax, and the ribcage moves down and
in.
• The volume of the chest cavity decreases, causing the pressure in the
lungs to rise above atmospheric pressure.
• Air is forced out of the lungs.

3. Gas Exchange in the Alveoli

Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, which are specialized to facilitate efficient
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the blood.

a. Structure of Alveoli
• Thin Walls: Alveolar walls are only one cell thick, allowing for a
short diffusion distance.
• Large Surface Area: There are millions of alveoli in the lungs,
creating a large surface area for gas exchange.
• Moist Lining: The lining of the alveoli is moist, helping gases
dissolve and diffuse more easily.
• Rich Blood Supply: The alveoli are surrounded by a dense network of
capillaries, ensuring a constant supply of blood for gas exchange.

b. Process of Gas Exchange

• Oxygen Diffusion: Oxygen in the alveolar air space diffuses across the
alveolar wall into the blood in the capillaries, where it binds to hemoglobin in
red blood cells.
• Carbon Dioxide Diffusion: Carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into
the alveoli to be expelled during exhalation.

4. Transport of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

Once oxygen enters the bloodstream, it is transported throughout the body:

• Oxygen: Most oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, forming


oxyhemoglobin. Oxygen is released to body tissues where it’s needed.
• Carbon Dioxide: Transported back to the lungs in three ways:
• Dissolved in plasma.
• Bound to hemoglobin as carbaminohemoglobin.
• Converted to bicarbonate ions in the blood plasma.

5. Respiratory Rate and Control of Breathing

Breathing rate and depth are controlled by the medulla oblongata in the brain:

• Carbon Dioxide Levels: High levels of CO₂ in the blood (forming


carbonic acid) lower blood pH, triggering the brain to increase breathing rate to
expel more CO₂.
• Exercise and Oxygen Demand: During physical activity, cells use more
oxygen and produce more CO₂. This leads to an increased breathing rate to meet the
higher demand for oxygen and to remove excess CO₂.

6. Effects of Smoking on the Respiratory System

Smoking introduces harmful chemicals into the respiratory system, damaging its
structure and function.

• Tar: Accumulates in the lungs, damaging alveoli and reducing surface


area for gas exchange.
• Nicotine: Addictive substance that increases heart rate and narrows
blood vessels.
• Carbon Monoxide: Binds with hemoglobin more readily than oxygen,
reducing oxygen transport in the blood.
• Lung Diseases:
• Chronic Bronchitis: Inflammation of the airways, leading to excessive
mucus production and difficulty breathing.
• Emphysema: Damage to alveoli walls, reducing elasticity and making gas
exchange less efficient.
• Lung Cancer: Caused by carcinogens in cigarette smoke, which can lead
to uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissue.

7. Respiration and Cellular Respiration


Respiration is the process of breaking down glucose to release energy. It occurs in
every cell and is essential for powering life processes.

a. Aerobic Respiration

• Equation: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)


• Location: Takes place in the mitochondria.
• Energy Production: Produces a large amount of energy as ATP.

b. Anaerobic Respiration

• Equation in Animals: Glucose → Lactic Acid + Energy (less ATP)


• Equation in Plants and Fungi: Glucose → Ethanol + Carbon Dioxide +
Energy
• Location: Occurs in the cytoplasm when oxygen is limited (e.g., during
intense exercise).
• Energy Production: Produces less energy and leads to lactic acid
buildup in muscles, causing fatigue.

8. Comparing Breathing and Respiration

• Breathing: Physical process of moving air in and out of the lungs


(inhalation and exhalation).
• Respiration: Chemical process of breaking down glucose in cells to
produce energy.
• Connection: Breathing provides oxygen needed for respiration and
removes carbon dioxide produced by respiration.

These notes cover the key concepts of breathing and gas exchange, including the
structure and function of the respiratory system, mechanics of breathing, and the
impact of smoking on respiratory health. Let me know if you need further
clarification on any topic!

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