Chapter 1: Respiration 1.1 The Human Breathing Mechanism 1.

One ability of living things- obtain energy by breaking down food into simpler molecules. 2. The chemical process whereby energy is released from glucose (@simpler substances) known as respiration. 3. Glucose + oxygen energy + carbon dioxide + water 4. Oxygen needed for respiration is taken into the body when we breathe in surrounding air. 5. Our body takes in oxygen from atmosphere and release carbon dioxide. This process which involves an exchange of gases is known as breathing. The structure of the human respiratory system The human respiratory system consists of: a. Nasal cavity b. Throat c. Trachea d. Lungs e. Bronchi f. Bronchioles g. Diaphragm h. intercostal muscle i. ribs j. alveoli

Flow of air from the atmosphere to the lungs Air enters nose through both nostrils. The walls of the nostrils are lined with hairs to trap dust particles in the air. From the nostrils, air enters nasal cavity. Nasal cavity secretes mucus. This is a slimy substances that trap bacteria and other foreign particles in the inhaled air. Then, air enters trachea. The trachea branches into a left bronchus and right bronchus. Each bronchus goes into a lung. Each bronchus then branches into smaller tubes called bronchioles. These tubes end in many tiny air sacs called alveoli (singular: alveolus). The alveoli are surrounded by blood capillaries. Gaseous exchange takes place in the lungs by diffusion. The passage of air in the human respiratory system: Nostril nasal cavity trachea bronchus bronchiole alveolus Adaptation of alveolus to allow it to exchange gases effectively. a. Large surface area compared to its volume b. Thin and elastic walls c. Surrounded by a network of blood capillaries d. moist

 The intercostal muscles move the ribs up and down during breathing. The diaphragm lies at the base of thoracic cavity and moves up and down during breathing. Structure of the lungs

The lungs are made up of bronchioles, alveoli and blood capillaries. The lungs are protected by a bony structure called the rib cage. A human being has 12 pairs of ribs. The thoracic cavity houses the lungs.

The breathing mechanism The process of taking in air into lungs is known as inhalation. The air which enters the lungs is called inhaled air. The process of expelling carbon dioxide from the lungs into atmosphere known as exhalation. The air expelled known as exhaled air.

Comparison between inhalation and exhalation Inhalation Exhalation

The external intercostal muscle contract The rib cage moves upwards and outwards The diaphragm contracts and flattens The volume of the thoracic cavity increases The air pressure decreases Air from surrounding enters the lungs

The external intercostal muscle relax The rib cage moves downwards and inwards The diaphragm relaxes and curves upwards The volume of thoracic cavity decreases The air pressure increases Air is forced out of the lungs.

Model of Human Respiratory system

Model of respiratory system Bell jar Y-shaped glass tube Ballons Rubber sheet

Human respiratory system

1.2 Transport of Oxygen in the Human Body The transport of oxygen involves the following processes. a. The diffusion of oxygen from the alveoli into the blood capillaries b. The transport of oxygen by red blood cells c. The diffusion of oxygen from the blood capillaries into cells In humans, oxygen is carried by the blood (blood circulatory system). The lungs provide oxygen to the blood which carries oxygen to all the cells that need it. The blood vessels also carry blood low in oxygen from the body back to the lungs after respiration. The concentration of oxygen in the alveoli is higher than the concentration of oxygen in the capillaries. Difference in oxygen concentration between alveoli and capillaries causes a diffusion of gases. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli to the capillaries, carbon dioxide diffuses from the capillaries to the alveoli.

 Once capillaries rich with oxygen, they pass the oxygen to the cells in the various part of body. Carbon dioxide diffuses from the cells to the blood capillaries to be expelled from lungs. Oxygen is not soluble in blood. It is even less soluble at body temperature, 37C. a. However, red blood cells in blood contain special respiratory pigment called haemoglobin which is red in color. b. Oxygen combines easily with haemoglobin to form oxyhaemoglobin. Oxygen + haemoglobin oxyhaemoglobin c. Oxyhaemoglobin readily gives up oxygen when it reach body tissues which have low oxygen concentration. 1.3 The Importance of a Healthy Respiratory System The air that we breathe contains various substances. Because of air pollution, the air we breathe in may contain harmful substances. Besides pollutants, air may also contain bacteria, viruses and microorganisms.

Effects of harmful substances Chemical substances Sources Tar Cigarette smoke Nicotine Cigarette smoke Carbon monoxide Cigarette smoke, car exhaust Sulphur dioxide Hydrocarbons Oxides of nitrogen Haze Industry, vehicles Industry, vehicles Industry, vehicles Industry, vehicles, open burning Damaging effects Carcinogenic- causes lung cancer Causes an addiction to smoking Highly poisonous-reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, death may ensue Acidic-damage lung tissues Carcinogenic- cause cancer Interact with hydrocarbons to form haze Causes breathing difficulties, worsens asthma and pnemonia