HUMAN BREATHING MECHANISM

The chemical process whereby energy is released

from glucose or other simple substances is known as
respiration.
In cellular respiration,
Glucose + O
2
Energy + CO
2
+ Water
Our body takes in O
2
from atmosphere and releases
CO
2
.
This process which involves an exchange of gases is
known as breathing.
The role of the respiratory system is to produce energy
through three mechanism:
Breathing to obtain energy
Transport oxygen from blood to the body cells
Cellular respiration to oxidize food using oxygen in the
body cells
The Structure of Human Respiratory System
PART FUNCTION
Nasal cavity Moistens air that passes through
and traps dust particles in air.
Trachea Help to trap dust particles and
microorganisms in air.
Bronchi/bronchus Direct air to the lungs.
Lung Rich in blood vessels and alveoli.
Ribs Protect lungs
Diaphragm Separate the thoracic cavity from
the abdominal cavity.
Intercostal
muscles
Move ribs during the breathing
process.
The Structure of Human Lungs
Lungs is the main respiratory organ of human.
The lung is soft and spongy organ.
Located in the thoracic cavity and protected by ribs.
There are fine branches in the lung called bronchioles.
Bronchioles branch out from the bronchi.
There are many air sacs at the ends of the bronchioles
known as alveoli/alveolus.

Flow of Air from the Atmosphere
to the Lungs
Alveoli surrounded by blood capillaries.
Gaseous exchange takes place in the lungs by
diffusion.

An alveolus has the following adaptations to allow it to
exchange gases effectively.
has a very large surface area
has walls which are very thin and elastic
is surrounded by a network of blood capillaries
is moist
Breathing Mechanism
The process of taking in air into the lungs is known as
inhalation.
The air that enters the lungs is the inhaled air.
The process of expelling carbon dioxide from the lungs
into the atmosphere is known as exhalation.
The air expelled is known as exhaled air.

Model of the Human Respiratory System
Comparing Inhalation and Exhalation
TRANSPORT OF OXYGEN IN THE
HUMAN BODY
During inhalation, the concentration of O
2
in inhaled air
is higher than O
2
content in the blood capillaries.
Oxygenated air is drawn into the lungs through the
nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and finally
into the alveoli.
Alveoli are tiny air sacs where the exchange of gases
takes place.
During the exchange of gases, O
2
will be transported
from the alveoli to the body cells while CO
2
will be
transported from the body cells to the lungs.
Diffusion of O
2
from the Alveoli into the Blood Capillaries

Alveoli have moist surfaces, thin walls and surrounded
by blood capillaries.
O
2
in the inhaled air will dissolve on the moist surface
of alveoli.
This cause the concentration of O
2
in alveoli to
increase.
When concentration of O
2
in the alveoli is higher than
in the blood capillaries, O
2
will be transported to the
blood capillaries through diffusion.

Transport of Oxygen by Blood

Blood is a type of tissue fluid that flows in the blood
capillaries.
Blood acts as a medium of transport of oxygen due to
assistance from the haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin is the red pigment found in the red blood
cells.
Haemoglobin is an important carrier of oxygen
because it combines with oxygen easily.
Haemoglobin + Oxygen Oxyhaemoglobin
Oxyhaemoglobin will be carried from the lungs to the
other parts of the body cells that lack oxygen.

Diffusion of O
2
from Blood Capillaries to Body Cells

When oxyhaemoglobin reaches the body cells that
lack O
2
, it breaks down into O
2
and haemoglobin.
Oxyhaemoglobin Haemoglobin + Oxygen
The released O
2
will be absorbed by the body cells
while the haemoglobin will return to the lungs to
combine with the O
2
.
At the same time, CO
2
from the cells diffuses into the
blood capillaries to be carried by haemoglobin back to
the alveoli.
CO
2
will be expelled out of the lungs during exhalation.


THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY
RESPIRATION SYSTEM
Our respiratory system will be affected if it is exposed
to the air pollutants.
Most pollutants are toxic and carcinogenic.
Toxicity is a nature of substance that can harm living
cells.
Carcinogenicity leads to the production of cancerous
cells.
Toxic substances are known as toxins.
Carcinogenic substances are known as carcinogens.
The Effects of Harmful Substances
We must avoid taking up smoking which can damage
the respiratory system.
An activity to show the effects of cigarette smoke on
white cotton wool can be conducted as follows:
The white cotton is used as an analogy of the lung
tissues.
At the end of the activity, it is found that:
Thermometer reading increases cigarette smoke can
increase the temperature of lung.
White cotton wool turns brownish and contains black
particles cigarette smoke contains tar.
Cotton wool has very strong nicotine smell nicotine
from the cigarette smoke condense on the cotton wool.
Hydrogen carbonate indicator turns yellow nitrogen
oxide in cigarette smoke dissolves in it and makes it
acidic.
Improving the Quality of the Air
Banning open burning of rubbish.
Using unleaded petrol in motor vehicles.
Conducting campaigns for the preservation and
conservation of good air quality.