Gas Exchange System p.

311
 VENTILATION: The exchange of air between the atmosphere and the lungs – achieved by the physical act of
breathing, based on the concept of partial pressure

 GAS EXCHANGE: The movement of gases between the alveoli and bloodstream (via passive diffusion), inside
the lungs

 CELL RESPIRATION: The control release of energy coming from the breaking down of glucose, can be aerobic
or anaerobic

 DIFFUSION: The net movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low
concentration, following a concentration gradient

 PARTIAL PRESSURE: The concentration of a particular gas, in a mixture of gases

Components of the System

 NOSE/MOUTH: Tiny hairs which clean the air / mucus function is to catch dust / more blood capillaries (heat
from cell respiration  warmer air)
 LARYNX: Place of the vocal chords / tissue that vibrates with air
 TRACHEA: to let the air pass through / rings of cartilage to prevent it from collapsing when empty
 BRONCHI (Left and Right): transport air  to left and right lung (through bronchus)
 BRONCHIOLE: guide the air to the alveoli
 ALVEOLI: Place for gas exchange with diffusion, based Inside the lungs
on differences between partial pressure

 EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL INTERCOSTAL MUSCLE (pleural membranes: connection between lungs and ribs)
 ABDOMINAL MUSCLES
 RIB CAG
 DIAPHRAGM

Adaptations of Alveoli
 Many and small  ASA
 Wall one cell thick  very thin
 Network of capillaries  more exchange
 A moist ure:
o to prevent it from collapsing
o and to speed up diffusion

Mechanism of Ventilation
 Inhalation or inspiration = air in
 Exhalation or Expiration = air out
 Antagonistic Muscles: internal and external intercostal muscles and the diaphragm and abdominal muscles
are antagonistic muscles
 INHALATION EXHALATION

DIAPHRAGM Contraction = down and flat Relaxes = up and more domed

ABDOMINAL MUSCLES Relax Contraction

EXTERNAL INTERCOSTAL
Contracts Relax
MUSCLES

INTERNAL INTERCOSTAL
Relax Contraction
MUSCLES

RIB CAGE Up and outwards Down and inwards

LUNGS VOLUME Increases (less pp) Decreases (more pp)