po r t S c i e n ce
Gr 1 1 S
THE
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
Oxyge n Tr an s po r t
This illustrates how oxygen is transported from the atmosphere to exercising
muscles for use in the aerobic energy systems.
LET’ S IMAG I NE
Imagine you’re a tiny oxygen molecule
taking a thrilling journey through the
human body. Where would you start, and
how would you navigate your way to the
ultimate destination—the alveoli?
LE T’ S DI SCUS S
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
The respiratory system consists of a set of organs
and tissues involved in the uptake of oxygen from
the atmosphere and the release of carbon dioxide
generated during aerobic respiration.
This gas exchange is also called breathing, or
external respiration. It plays a crucial role in
maintaining our body’s oxygen supply and removing
waste gases.
OXYG E N T RAV E L
This flowchart simplifies a complex process that captures the essential steps
involved in oxygen transport and gas exchange within the respiratory system.
Air enters through the nose or The bronchi divide into smaller
mouth. It passes through the bronchioles. These bronchioles
pharynx and larynx. The lead to clusters of alveoli in the
trachea carries air down into lungs.
the bronchi.
The diaphragm relaxes, In the alveoli, oxygen diffuses
pushing air out of the lungs. Air into the bloodstream. Carbon
exits through the trachea, dioxide diffuses out of the
larynx, and either the nose or bloodstream into the alveoli.
mouth.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
NOSE AND
NASAL CAVITY
• Primary entry point for air
• Inside the nose, we find the nasal cavity
• which filters incoming air
• removing dust and particles
• warms and humidifies the air
• contains olfactory receptors for
our sense of smell.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
MOUTH AND
ORAL CAVITY
• Alternate entry point for air
• Plays a minor role in respiration
• Essential for speech and swallowing.
If the nasal passages are blocked,
breathing through the mouth becomes
essential.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
PHARYNX
(THROAT)
• Connects the nasal cavity and mouth to
the trachea.
• Common pathway for both air and food.
The epiglottis, a flap-like structure in the
pharynx, prevents food from entering the
trachea during swallowing.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
LARYNX
(VOICE BOX)
• Tough, flexible segment of the respiratory
tract
• Connects the pharynx (the back of the
nose and throat) to the trachea
(windpipe).
It allows air to pass through it while
preventing food and drink from blocking the
airway.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
TRACHEA
(WINDPIPE)
• A wide, hollow tube of C-shaped cartilage
• Connects the larynx to the bronchi (airways)
of the lungs.
• Primary function is to enable airflow to and
from the lungs.
• Ensures air entering the lungs is at optimal
temperature and humidity level for efficient
gas exchange.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
BRONCHI
• Main airways into the lungs
• The trachea branches into a bronchus in
each lung.
• Equipped with tiny, hair-like structures
called cilia.
• Cilia help move mucus out of your lungs,
keeping the bronchi clean and healthy.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
BRONCHIOLES
• Small, branching air passages inside the
lungs.
• Serve as conduits for air, connecting the
larger bronchi to the alveoli.
• Bronchioles deliver air to a diffuse
network of approximately 300 million
alveoli.
RY O R G ANS
RESPIRATO
ALVEOLI
• Tiny, air sacs located at the end of the
bronchioles.
• Play a crucial role in gas exchange during
breathing.
• In the alveolus, oxygen molecules move
through a single layer of lung cells,
entering the bloodstream.
Simultaneously, carbon dioxide (CO₂)
molecules pass from the bloodstream
into the alveolus.
LET’ S DI SCUS S
GAS EXCHANGE
• Happens through a process called diffusion
• Gas moves from area of higher partial pressure to area of lower partial
pressure
• Partial pressure: pressure exerted by a single gas (oxygen) within a
mixture (air, blood, tissue fluid)
• Air breathed in to the lungs is high in oxygen and low in carbon dioxide
• Blood being pumped to the lungs = low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide
• Oxygen diffuses across the alveoli to the blood; and carbon dioxide diffuses
across the blood to the alveoli
• Blood leaving the lungs is high in oxygen, low in carbon dioxide pumped to
tissues via the heart
• Oxygen is used up by tissues; carbon dioxide is produced
• Carbon dioxide returns to the lungs through blood diffuses across capillary
and alveolar walls to be exhaled
Simultaneously, carbon During external respiration,
dioxide (produced by oxygen-rich air enters the
cellular metabolism) diffuses alveoli during inhalation.
from the blood into the
alveoli.
Oxygen molecules
diffuse across the thin
During internal
alveolar walls into the
respiration, oxygen is
bloodstream, where
delivered to body
they bind to red blood
tissues, and carbon
cells.
dioxide is removed
from the tissues and
transported back to
the lungs for
exhalation.
v s E xh al at i o n
Inhalation
Inhalation:
• External intercostal muscles
contract
• Moves rib cage up and out
• Diaphragm contracts and lowers
• Volume of lungs increases =
decreases pressure
• Air is drawn in
Air continues to flow until
pressure inside lungs rises
to atmospheric pressure
v s E xh al at i o n
Inhalation
Exhalation:
• Internal intercostal muscles
contract
• Moves rib cage down and in
• Diaphragm relaxes and pushes up
• Volume of lungs decrease =
increases pressure
• Air is forced out
Air continues to flow until
pressure inside lungs to drop to
atmospheric pressure
i o n Du r i n g E xe rci s e
Ven t i l at
Minute Ventilation:
• The volume of air being exhaled per minute
• VE = the product of the size of each breath (tidal volume – VT)
• Multiplied by the number of breaths per minute (the respiration
rate – BF breathing frequency)
• During exercise, minute ventilation increases by increasing both tidal
volume and breathing frequency = maintain resting gas partial
pressures in the lungs and arterial blood supply to active tissue
u r i n g E xe rci s e
Ventilation D
Activity:
• Use the following formula t complete the table:
Re s e arc h Ta s k
Research how the following factors affect lung volumes and lung capacity:
• Untrained and trained people of similar size
• Age differences
• Fitness level
• Body size
• Type of activity
• Intensity of activity
