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Function of the respiratory system 4.

In this assignment, I will describe the structure and function of the different parts of
the Respiratory System outlined in this unit.

The main Functions I will write about are as follows;

•The two types of respiration –Internal & External.

•Gaseous exchange.

•Partial Pressure.

•Diffusion gradient.

•Lung volumes

•Control centre
Gaseous Exchange

“Gaseous exchange is the movement of oxygen into the body, and carbon dioxide out of the body. The
gaseous exchange takes place in the lungs by diffusion through the alveolar surface” (www-nursing)

Gaseous exchange occurs by the diffusion between the blood in the


capillaries surrounding their walls and the air in the alveoli. The concept
of partial pressure applies to the diffusion of the gasses from a gas
mixture to a gas in solution and vice versa. Gasses in contact with liquids
such as blood and the film of moisture surrounding the walls of the
alveoli dissolve into a solution by diffusion until the equilibrium is
achieved. At equilibrium, the partial pressure of the gasses is the same in
both gaseous and liquid states, and the gasses are diffusing in and out of
each state at the same rate. Blood which enters the capillaries from the
pulmonary arteries has a lower oxygen content and higher carbon dioxide
content than the air in the alveoli. As the capillaries have thin walls
oxygen can diffuse into the blood via the alveoli, through the red blood
cell membrane and then finally latches onto haemoglobin which are
proteins which seek oxygen. Haemoglobin is what transfers oxygen
around the body. Carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction, from
the blood into the alveoli.
Mechanisms of breathing

“The action of breathing in and out is due to changes of pressure within the thorax, in
comparison with the outside. When we inhale the intercostal muscles and diaphragm
contract to expand the chest cavity.” (teach-pe.com)

Breathing is the process by which air is transported into and out of the
lungs, and it is known to have two phases. These are Inspiration and
Expiration. “Breathing is regulated by the receptors within the air
passages and lungs.” (Btecsport,2010) Breathing requires the thorax to
increase in size. This is to allow air to be taken in, this is then followed
by a decrease to allow air to be forced out.

Inspiration

Inspiration is when the intercostal muscles contract to lift the ribs


upwards and outwards to allow air into the lug, therefore inflating. the
diaphragm is forced downwards and the sternum forwards. This is when
there is an expansion in the thorax in every direction which causes a drop
in pressure below that of atmospheric pressure, this then encourages air to
flood into the lungs, at this point the oxygen is exchanged for carbon
dioxide through the capillary walls.

Expiration

Expiration then comes after inspiration as it is when the intercostal


muscles that have contracted to lift the ribs up relax. The diaphragm then
extends upwards and the ribs and sternum collapse. This then allows the
pressure within the lungs to increase and get forced out. This is when
greater amounts of oxygen are required, requiring the intercostal muscles
in the stomach and the diaphragm to work a lot harder
Lung volumes

“Your respiratory rate is the amount of air you breathe in one minute”
(Btecsport,2010).

“Lung volumes and lung capacities refer to the volume of air associated
with different phases of the respiratory cycle. Lung volumes are directly
measured. Lung capacities are inferred from lung volumes.
The average total lung capacity of an adult human male is about 6 litres
of air, but only a small amount of this capacity is used during normal
breathing.” (wikipedia.org)

Exercise can greatly increase the amount of breaths we take in per minute
as more oxygen is needed to get to the working muscles. An example of
this is for a typical 18 year old their breaths per minute is around 12, in
this time about 6 litres of air is passed through the lungs, when the 18
year old exercises his/her could increase to around 30-40 breaths per
minute.

Tidal Volume

The definition for tidal volume is “the volume of gas inhaled and exhaled
during one respiratory cycle” (medical-dictionary). During exercise, tidal
volume increases to allow more air to pass through the lungs. “the
volume of air passing through the lungs each minute is known as the
minute volume and is the product of breathing rate and the amount of air
taken in with each breath” (Btecsport,2010)
Diffusion Gradient

When you breathe in pressure is exerted on the alveoli. These are the
little sacs inside your lungs. This expands them and gives them a greater
surface area. Many diseases are complicated when these sacs don't
expand. The pressure of Oxygen on one side gives the gradient that will
drive the diffusion in the capillaries that line these sacs.

Partial Pressures

In a mixture of ideal gases, each gas has a partial pressure which is the
pressure which the gas would have if it alone occupied the volume. The
total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the partial pressures of each
individual gas in the mixture. At the Alveoli, where gaseous exchange
occurs, the partial pressure of the gases has a major impact on thegaseous
exchange. If it is high in the alveoli, it will exchange to an area of lower
concentration (blood) via a diffusion gradient. When we exercise, more
O2 is coming in and more CO2 is going out. Therefore the diffusion
gradient is far steeper during exercise and the exchange happens more
regularly as we breathe deeper and faster during intense exercise.
Muscle fibres contain a pigment called Myglobin. They have a very high
affinity for oxygen, even more than Haemoglobin. They increase the
uptake of oxygen by the muscle fibres which will fuel the muscles when
exercising. Haemoglobin can also transport oxygen around the body. This
is a protein in the red blood cells which can have up to 4 molecules of
oxygen per molecule. When oxygen links to Haemoglobin it is now
called oxyhaemoglobin. (http://www.elmhurst)
Control of breathing

Neutral control- Breathing seems very simple but its control is very
complex. “it involves neurones, cells that conduct nerve impulses, in the
reticular formation and pons, both parts of the brain stem”.
(Btecsport,2010) Neurons in two areas of the medulla are critical in
respiration. These are the dorsal respiratory group and the ventral
respiratory group. The VRG is thought to be responsible for the rhythm
generation.

Chemical control- There are other factors that control breathing these
include the continually changing levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Sensors responding to such chemical fluctuations are called
chemoreceptors. These are found in the medulla and in the aortic arch and
carotid arteries.

There are receptors all around the body which affect the activity in the
respiratory system. There are 3 main receptors. They are;
“Proprioreceptors – This type of receptor is in the muscles, tendons and
joints. They inform the control centre that movement has increased.
During exercise they will inform the control centre that movement has
increased and therefore the body will need to work harder to get oxygen
in and remove carbon dioxide and other waste products.

Chemoreceptors- detect a decrease in the PH of the blood due to the build


up of lactic acid and CO2. Therefore the rate of exchange needs to speed
up to get all waste products out of the system. They have a negative effect
on muscles and can prevent them working for long periods at an intense
rate.

Baro-receptor. This will detect an increase in pressure”


All information obtained from (www.nda.ox.ac.uk)
Minute ventilation

“Is the volume of air inhaled (inhaled minute volume) or exhaled


(exhaled minute volume) from a person's lungs in one minute”
(wikipedia.org)

The reason for increased minute ventilation during exercise is because


much more oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged than at rest. So
more oxygen will be taken into the lungs so the oxygen can be used by
working muscles and as a result more carbon dioxide is produced and
exhaled.
Bibliography
www-nursing/gaseous-exchange-lungs.htm

http://www.teachpe.com/anatomy/breathing.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung_volumes

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/tidal+volume

BtectSport, 2010

http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/260acidbasebal

http://www.nda.ox.ac.uk/wfsa/html/u02/u02_011.htm

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