Cells & Systems

The Respiratory System Cells & Systems

Got your nose!

The SystemSo what is the respiratory system for?

It is the system responsible for supplying your blood with oxygen (inhale) and removing the carbon dioxide (exhale)

Your blowing my mind Hebert!

BreathingThe process of moving air into, and out of, your lungs

BreathingThe process of moving air into, and out of, your lungs

To do this you require two special muscles: The DiaphragmRib Muscles

The InhaleInhale Air Into Lungs

Diaphragm & rib Muscles contract and 2 things happen Ribs go up Diaphragm goes down

This increases the size of your chest and lungs Pulls air into your lungs

Breathing Mechanics

The ExhaleExhale Air out of lungs

Diaphragm & ribs relax and 2 things happen Ribs go down Diaphragm goes up

This decreases the size of chest and lungs Forces air out of lungs

Mini Demonstration Time Proof we exhale CO2

Bromothyomol Blue indicates in blue low levels of CO26The StructuresAir enters your respiratory system via

The NoseThe MouthThe Trachea The BronchiThe Lungs

Gas Exchange ProcessYour cells need oxygen to release energy from nutrients (i.e.: glucose sugar)

They also need to get rid of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Why?Because CO2 is toxic to the body

Why is CO2 toxic? Research quick!

Body can only function at a certain pH (acid/base level) and if there is too much acid because we have too much CO2 in the blood we can go into a state of acidosis and this interrupts the normal function of the body8Gas Exchange Process Cont Oxygen-rich air comes into the lungs through a series of tube-like pathways These are known as bronchi

The bronchi are lined with a very tough connective tissueWhy?It prevents the walls of the bronchi from collapsing due to the pressures

The bronchi narrow as they go into bronchioles

Gas Exchange

Gas Exchange Process Cont At the end of the bronchioles are about 600 000 000 (thats right 600 million) air filled sacs called alveoli

These alveoli (air sacs) are surrounded by capillaries (blood)

Both the alveoli & the capillaries are made of specialized epithelial cells Only 1 cell layer thick!

Why is that important?

Alveoli The Real Thing

Gas Exchange Process Cont Diffusion!Creates a short distance between air & blood

Air inside the alveoli has A high concentration of Oxygen (O) A low concentration of Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Naturally oxygen diffuses from the alveoli to the capillaries & carbon dioxide back the other direction Pressure and concentration differences

Gas Exchange Process Cont It only takes one second for your blood to travel through your lungs and pick up all the oxygen it is capable of holding

So if that is the case:

Why is it more difficult to breath in higher altitudes for example like mountain climbing?