At the end of this topic students will be able to:
• Compare the respiratory systems • Describe the mechanic of respiration - Air passage principals - Ventilation - Lung volume and respiration cycle - Respiration rate • Explain gas exchange - Partial pressure - Oxygen separation curve • Discriminate gas transportation - Oxygen and carbon dioxide
Respiration : - all processes that accomplish movement of O2 from the environment to the tissues - has 2 components : a) Cellular respiration ( in mitochondria): refers to intracellular metabolic processes C6H12O6 + O2 6CO2 + 6H2O b) External respiration : events involved in the exchange of O2 and CO2 between the external environment and cellular mitochondria
Function of respiration
1. Provides oxygen 2. Eliminates carbon dioxide 3. Regulates the blood’s hydrogen-ion concentration (pH) , because CO2 generates carbonic acid 4. Defends against microbes
Partial Pressure
• Atmospheric gas is a mixture of gas (79% N2, 20.9% O2, 0.03% CO2, H2O vapour, other gases and pollutants) • Altogether these gases exert a total atmospheric pressure of 760 mmHg • Partial pressure : The individual pressure exerted independently by a particular gas within a mixture of gases (Pgas)
Diversity of Gas Exchange Structures
Respiratory System of a Bony Fish
Human Respiratory System
Pathway of air: • nasal cavities (or oral cavity) pharynx trachea primary bronchi (right & left) secondary bronchi tertiary bronchi bronchioles alveoli (site of gas exchange)
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The exchange of gases (O2 & CO2) between the alveoli & the blood occurs by simple diffusion: •O2 diffusing from the alveoli into the blood & CO2 from the blood into the alveoli. • Diffusion requires a concentration gradient. So, the concentration (or pressure) of O2 in the alveoli must be kept at a higher level than in the blood & the concentration (or pressure) of CO2 in the alveoli must be kept at a lower level than in the blood.