Gaseous

Exchange
THE DELIVERY OF OXYGEN FROM THE LUNGS TO
THE BLOODSTREAM, AND THE ELIMINATION OF
CARBON DIOXIDE FROM THE BLOODSTREAM TO
THE LUNGS AND OUT OF THE BODY.

In multicellular organisms the cells are far away

from external environment where oxygen is
obtained.
They have specialised gas exchange surface.
So that he oxygen from external environment can
diffuse into the body, and carbon dioxide can be
diffuse out.

Functions :
clean

and warm the incoming air

Maximise

surface area for diffusion of O2

and CO2
Minimise

distance fro diffusion

Maintain

adequate gradient for diffusion

Air enters the body through the mouth and nose, from here it
moves to the pharynx (throat), passes through the larynx (voice
box) and enters the trachea.

trachea
bronchioles

Bronchus

The trachea splits into two branches, the left and right
bronchus, each bronchus divides many times into
smaller branches called bronchioles.

Each bronchiole finally leads to a bunch of tiny air sacs,

called alveoli, which inflate during inhalation, and deflate
during exhalation.

Gas exchange is the delivery of oxygen into

bloodstream, and the elimination of carbon dioxide out of
the body. It takes place in the alveoli.

The alveoli walls are surrounded by blood capillaries. the

O2 from alveoli diffuse into the capillaries and the CO 2
diffuse into alveoli and to be exhaled out of the body. Both
O2 and CO2 move from high concentration to low
concentration areas.

Lungs
Located

in the thoracic (chest) cavity

surrounded by pleural membrane
(airtight).

Pleural

membrane contains small

amount of fluid

To

allow friction free movement when

lungs ventilates.

Cartilage
Found

in trachea(c shape) and

bronchus (irregular shape)

Keeps

airways open and air resistance

low
Prevent

collapsing or bursting of the

passage as different air pressure
change when breathing

Bronchiles

Has no cartilage

Surrounded by smooth muscles

Smooth muscles contract and

reflex to adjust diameter of
airways

During exercise the muscles relax

to allow big flow of air into alveoli.

Warming and Cleaning The Air

Air from nose to trachea are warmed to body

temperature and moistened by evaporation
from the lining

To protect the surface inside lungs from

desiccation

Particles larger than 5-10m are trapped on

the hairs inside the nose and the mucus lining
the nasal passages & other airways

mucus

Production of goblet cells of the ciliated

epithelium

Slimy solution of mucin

Contains

1.

glycoprotein with many carbohydrate chain

that make them sticky

2.

Lysozyme, the enzyme in lysosome which

causes lysis( breakdown of bacteria)

Some chemical pollutants eg: SO2 and NO2

can dissolve in mucus and forms acid solute
that irritates lining of airways

Between the goblet cells

cells

Continual beating of their cilia

carries the carpet of mucus
upwards towards the larynx (1
cm/ min)

When mucus reaches the trachea,

it is usually swallowed so that
pathogens are destroyed by
stomach acid

ciliated

Macrophages

Phagocytic white blood cell

Act as police for small particles

o

Kills small particles (dust and bacteria) o the

surfaces of airways

During infection, other phagocytic cells will

leave the capillaries to help remove
pathogens

Alveoli

300 millions in each lung

Super thin membrane (squamous epithelial

cells)

Surrounded by many blood capillaries carrying

deoxygenated blood

Alveolar walls contains elastic fibres

o

Stretch during breathing

Recoils during expiration, help to force air out

The elasticity ables the alveoli to expand to

increase the volume of air

Increses the surface area for diffusion & air is

expelled efficiently when elastic fibres recoil

Breathing rate
Calculate

by Spirometer

At

rest, we require 6dm3 of air per minute &

about 0.35dm3 enters the alveoli

Lungs

cannot be emptied with air. At least

1dm3 remains = Residual Volume

Tidal volume = volume of air in and out per breath

(0.5 dm3 )

Vital capacity = max volume of air that an be

moved in and out per breath ( 5 dm3 )

Residual volume = volume of air that remains in

the lungs after biggest possible exhalation
(1.5dm3 )

Ventilation rate = tidal volume x breathing rate

One breath

Pulse rate
Stroke

volume = volume of blood pumped out

per minute

Cardiac

output = total volume pumped out per

minute
Pulse

rate = stretch and recoiling of aorta and

arteries as blood travels

 Pulse
Is

rate is identical to heart rate

an indication of aerobic fitness

An

average person = 60-100 beats per min

Blood pressure

Systolic pressure = Maximum arterial pressure

during the ventricular systole

Diastolic pressure = Minimum pressure in the

arteries
o

It reflects the resistance of the small arteries

and capillaries

Typical blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg

Hypertension

when systolic and diastolic pressure are high at rest,

and the heart is working too hard

High blood pressure occurs

Contraction of smooth muscles in the walls of small arteries

and arterioles , which is a result of hormone noradrenaline

Long term hypertension imposes a strand on the

cardiovascular system.

Known as the silent killer ( no prior warning for stroke ,

heart failure and heart attack)

Causes of hypertension

Excessive alcohol intake

Smoking

High salt levels in diet

Genetic predisposition

obesity