Human respiratory system

❀The human respiratory system consist

of
breathing organs
ribs
diaphragm
intercostal muscles

❀The breathing organs include the nasal

cavity, breathing channel (trachea,
bronchus and bronchiole) and the
lungs.
 Parts of a lung

Alveolus, bronchiole and a part of the bronchus are

situated in the lungs
❀The flow of air from the nose to the
alveolus in the lungs is shown below

Nose Nasal Trachea

cavity

Alveolus Bronchiole Bronchus

The breathing mechanism

❀Breathing involves two phases

i) Inhalation - Air is taken into the lungs
ii) Exhalation - Air passes out of the lungs
The process of Inhalation and Exhalation
Inhalation Exhalation
Diaphragm contracts Diaphragm relaxes
Rib cage moves up Rib cage moves
and out down and in
Lung expand Lungs squeezed
The pressure of the
The pressure of the
air in the lung
air in the lungs falls
increases
Air drawn in Air forced out
Model of the human respiratory system.
(Trachea)

(Thoracic
cavity)

(Bronchus)

(Lung)

(Diaphragm)
 Inhalation Exhalation

Thin rubber sheet is pulled Thin rubber sheet is pushed

downwards (diaphragm flatten) upwards. (Diaphragm curves
upwards
The volume of bell jar increases The volume of bell jar decreases
Air pressure inside the bell jar Air pressure inside the bell jar
decreases increases
Air from outside is sucked into Air inside the balloons is pushed
the balloons out
TRANSPORT OF OXYGEN IN THE HUMAN BODY
• During inhalation, oxygenated blood is
drawn into the lungs and in the alveoli.

• Alveoli has thin walls, moist surfaces and

surrounded by many blood capillaries.

• Oxygen is transported to the blood

capillaries by diffusion.

• Oxygen binds with the haemoglobin to form

oxyhaemoglobin.
• When the oxygenated blood reaches the
target tissue, oxyhaemoglobin breaks down
to release oxygen.

• The oxygen will be absorbed by body cells.

• While the process takes place, carbon

dioxide is transported from the body cells
and expelled through the lungs.
 THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Various chemical substances can damage the human
respiratory system
Substances Pollutant Effects
Cigarette •Nicotine •A poison which
smoke damages the heart,
blood vessels and
nerves
•Affects the walls of
•Tar the alveoli and
causes lung cancer
Factories •Sulphur dioxide •Causes
breathing
difficulties

Smoke of •Carbon monoxide •Poisonous gas,

vehicles it stops blood
carrying oxygen
around the body
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
• Diseases caused by inhaling harmful air
pollutants are:
i. Asthma
ii. Chronic bronchitis
iii. Emphysema
iv. Lung cancer
ASTHMA
• Causes : dust, cigarette smoke, and industrial
fumes.
• Symptoms : shortness of breath, wheezing
and coughing
• Treatment : bronchodilator drugs in the form
of inhalers or tablets.
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS

• Causes : tar and the irritants in cigarette

smoke

• Symptoms : coughing and wheezing

• Treatment : bronchodilator drugs or

physiotherapy, stop smoking
EMPHYSEMA
• Causes : cigarette smoke and inhalation of
harmful air pollutants
• Symptoms : breathing difficulty, coughing,
pain while breathing and exhaustion
• Treatment : stop smoking.
LUNG CANCER
• Causes : cigarette smoke , exposure to
carcinogens

• Symptoms : persistent cough, weight loss,

chest pain, wheezing, coughing with blood,
continuous heavy coughing, breathing
difficulty and fever

• Treatment : surgical removal or radiotherapy

and anticancer drugs
WAYS TO IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY

• Enforce anti-air pollution laws

• Use unleaded fuel
• Develop and use electric-powered
cars
• Do not smoke
• Plant trees around houses
• Cycle or walk for short distances