Respiratory System

Lauren Kehoe, Helen Donnelly, Abby Henry, James Eisenstein

The Structures of the Lungs

    (5).

How does air get into the lungs?

• Air comes in generally through nose• Ciliated epithelium/hairs filter dust and particles from air.• Goes from pharynx to larynx• Larynx (airway w/ two paired folds of mucous membrane)•  Air is forced between glottis (area between vocal cords)• Muscle of larynx contract/relax---> narrows or widens glottis• When epiglottis points upwards, area flows towards trachea• Two airways (bronchi) lead to lungs (1).

    (6).

What is the role of the diaphragm?

• The diaphragm is a muscular section between the thoracic and abdonimal cavities. 

• It is positioned below the lungs.• As the diaphragm contracts, it sucks the air in and moves it out to

the ends of the air passages through the bronchi and the bronchial's. (2)

What are the main structures of the lungs that are involved in getting oxygen to the rest of the body?

    (2).

What are the structure, function, and location of the alveoli?• An alveolus is a tiny air sac found in the lungs which is attached to

the bronchiole• Through the inhalation of oxygen into the lungs, oxygen is

transported to the alveoli• From the alveoli the oxygen is moved into the adjacent pulmonary

capillaries and the pulmonary capillaries transfers its carbon dioxide into the alveoli to be removed through exhalation (5).

Where does the amount of gas exchange occur in the body?• The carbon dioxide in the capillaries diffuse into the low pressure

gradient of carbon dioxide into the alveoli.• The oxygen in the alveoli diffuses out of the high pressure area

into the capillaries where the oxygen pressure is lower.                    (5)

(5)

CO2 Concentration Gradient O2 Concentration Gradient

(7)

How does gas exhange take place in the lungs at the alveolar level?• The process of respiration is based on the tendency of oxygen and

carbon dioxide to follow their pressure gradient.• Oxygen and carbon dioxide enter/leave the capillaries by diffusing

into/out of the alveoli.• Inward-directed gradient of oxygen is maintained because inhaling

replenishes oxygen and cells use it on a normal basis.• Outward-directed gradient of carbon dioxide is maintained

because cells continually produce carbon dioxide and exhaling removes it (5).

What is a disease related to the lack of tranport between systems?Hypoxemia: oxygen content in arterial blood is low.

Causes: usually triggered off by other respiratory diseasesCan also be due to: Hypoventilation, diffusion impairment

Symptoms: Mild Hypoxemia: anxiety, restlessness, headaches.Acute Hypoxemia: Yanosis (Skin appearing bluish due to insufficient oxygen), increased blood pressure, Coma (4).

References

1. Starr, Lisa. "Respiration." Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life. Pacific                                  Grove: BROOKS/COLE, 2001. Print.

2. http://www.videojug.com/interview/breathing-basics-2 (diaphragm info)3. http://naturalathlete.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/diaphragm.jpg                          

(diapragm pic)4. "Hypoxemia." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 16 Nov. 2010

<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/280141/hypoxemia>5. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-

human-body/respiratory-system-structure.shtml6. "Exploring Human Structure and Function." Biology Exploring Life. Pearson Education, 2010.

Accessed November 16th, 2010. https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFCj9STCvdI&NR=1