GASEOUS

EXCHANGE
AND
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM

Gaseous exchange occurs at gas

exchange surfaces
The part of the organism through
which
oxygen enters and goes out of the
body is called the gas exchange
surface

Properties of gaseous
exchange
surface

They should be thin to allow gases to

diffuse across the exchange surface
They should be close to an efficient
transport system to take gases to and
from the cells which need them
They should be kept moist to stop the
cells on the surface from drying and
dying
Should have a large surface area for
exchange of gases so that a lot of gas
can be exchanged at same time.
Should have a good supply of oxygen

GAS EXCHANGE

What factors are important in gas

exchange?
What factors affect gas
transfer?

6.5 Gaseous exchange occurs in the

respiratory system

Nasal cavity
Pharynx
Larynx
Windpipe-trachea
Bronchi
Lungs

The Respiratory Organs

Conducting zone
Respiratory passages
that carry air to the
site of gas exchange
Filters, humidifies and
warms air

Respiratory zone
Site of gas exchange
Composed of
Respiratory
bronchioles
Alveolar ducts
Alveolar sacs
Conducting zone labeled

Conducting zone will be covered first

Nose
Provides airway
Moistens and warms
air
Filters air
Resonating chamber
for speech
Olfactory receptors

External nose

The Larynx (voicebox)

Three functions:
1. Produces vocalizations (speech)
2. Provides an open airway (breathing)
3. Switching mechanism to route air and food
into proper channels

Closed during swallowing

Open during breathing

Framework of the larynx

10

Trachea (the windpipe)

Descends: larynx through neck into mediastinum
Divides in thorax into two main (primary) bronchi
16-20 C-shaped rings
of cartilage covers the
trachea
Flexible for bending
but stays open despite
pressure changes
during breathing
Wall of trachea has layers
common to many tubular
organs
filters, warms and
moistens incoming air

11

Lungs
Each is cone-shaped with anterior, lateral
and posterior surfaces contacting ribs
Superior tip is apex, just deep to clavicle
Concave inferior surface resting on
diaphragm is the base
apex

base

apex

base
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Lungs and
Pleura

Around each lung is a

flattened sac of serous
membrane called pleura
Parietal pleura outer
layer
Visceral pleura directly
on lung
Inside lungs fine air sac
like sy=tructures are
present called
Alveoli
Alveoli are the respiratory surface for exchange
of gases.
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FEATURES OF RESPIRATORY
SURFACE - ALVEOLI
They are very thin
They have an excellent transport
system
pulmonary artery , capillarities ,
pulmonary vein
They have a large surface area.
over 100m2
They have a good supply of oxygen.