GAS EXCHANGE IN HUMANS

Gas exchange in humans

• Gas exchange usually involves 2 or more gases transferred
in opposite directions across a respiratory surface.
Characteristics of respiratory surfaces
Gaseous exchange rely on diffusion. To be efficient, the
gaseous exchange surface must have;
- thin  epithelium– shorter distance to diffuse
- moist  surface– allow gases to dissolve
- large surface area-for maximum gas exchange
-good supply of blood- to maintain steep diffusion
gradient for rapid diffusion of oxygen.
-good ventilation with air
Structure of the breathing system
It comprise of the following parts;
• Lungs
• Diaphragm
• Ribs
• Intercostal muscles
• Larynx
• Trachea
• Bronchi
• Bronchioles
• Alveoli
• Associated capillaries
 Gaseous exchange in the alveolus
Ventilation refers to the movement of air into and
out of the lungs.
Gaseous exchange refers to the exchange of oxygen
and carbon dioxide, which takes place between the
air and the blood vessels in the lungs.
• The oxygen combines with the haemoglobin in
the red blood cells, forming oxyhaemoglobin.
• The carbon dioxide in the plasma is released
when the hydrogencarbonate ions (—HCO3)
break down to CO2 and H2O.
• The capillaries carrying oxygenated blood from
the alveoli join up to form the pulmonary vein
• which returns blood to the left atrium of the
heart. From here it enters the left ventricle and
is pumped all around the body, so supplying the
tissues with oxygen.
Changes in the composition of breathed air
 Lung capacity and breathing rate
• The total volume of the lungs when fully inflated is
about 5 litres in an adult.
• However, in quiet breathing, when asleep or at rest,
only 0.5 litres is exchanged. This is called tidal volume.
• During exercise, you can take in and expel an extra 3
litres.
• There is a residual volume of 1.5 litres which cannot be
expelled no matter how hard you breath out.
• Vital capacity- it is the maximum amount of air
breathed in and out in one breath.
• At rest, you normally inhale and exhale about 12
times per minute. During exercise, the breathing
rate may rise to over 20 breaths per minute and
the depth also increases.
Breathing rate and exercise
when you run, muscles in your legs use up a lot of
energy.  cells in the muscles need a lot of Oxygen
very quickly. They combine Oxygen + glucose as fast
as they can, to release energy for muscle
contraction. A lot of Oxygen is needed and therefore
you breath deeper and faster to get more
Oxygen into your blood.
• your heart beat faster to get Oxygen to the leg muscles as quickly
as possible.
• a limit is reached - the heart and the lung can not supply
Oxygen to the muscles any faster.
• some extra energy (not much) is produced by anaerobic
respiration: some glucose is broken down without combining with
Oxygen:
•                          Glucose ---> lactic acid + energy.
Carbon dioxide and lactic acid concentration in tissue and in the
blood  rises  and the blood pH  falls.
• Brain sense the change and nerve impulses sent to the diaphragm
and the intercostal muscles, stimulating them to contract and
relax more rapidly, increasing the breathing rate.
• Carbon dioxide will be removed by the faster deeper breathing.
Carbon dioxide in exhaled air
 Result
• The limewater in tube B goes milky. The
limewater in tube A stays clear.
Interpretation
• Carbon dioxide turns limewater milky. Exhaled
air passes through tube B. Inhaled air passes
through tube A. Exhaled air must, therefore,
contain more carbon dioxide than inhaled air
• Hydrogencarbonate indicator is an alternative
to limewater. It changes from red to yellow
when carbon dioxide is bubbled through it.
 Ventilation of the lungs
Ventilation is the movement of air into and out
of the lungs.
The cartilage are present in the trachea and
bronchi to prevent them from collapsing when
breathing in.
The diaphragm is a sheet of tissue that separate
the thorax from the abdomen.
The ribs are moved by the intercostal muscles
Inhalation
• The diaphragm muscles contract and pull it
down
• The internal intercostal muscle relax while the
external intercostal muscles contracts and pull
the ribcage upwards and outwards.
• The volume in the thorax gets bigger forcing the
lungs to expand.
• The air pressure in the lungs is reduced resulting
in air being drawn in through the nose and
trachea.
Exhalation
• The diaphragm muscles relax, allowing the
diaphragm to return to its domed shape.
• The external intercostal muscles relax while
the internal intercostal muscles contract,
pulling ribs downwards to bring about a forced
expiration
• The lungs are elastic and shrink back to their
relaxed volume, increasing the air pressure
inside them. This results in air being forced out
again.
 Protection of gas exchange system from
pathogens and particles
• Pathogens, such as bacteria, and dust particles
are present in the air we breathe in and are
potentially dangerous if not actively removed.
There are two types of cells that provide
mechanisms to help achieve this.
• Goblet cells are found in the epithelial lining of
the trachea, bronchi and some bronchioles of
the respiratory tract. Their role is to secrete
mucus to trap the pathogens.
• Ciliated cells are also present in the epithelial
lining of the respiratory tract
• They are in a continually flicking motion to
move the mucus, secreted by the goblet cells,
upwards and away from the lungs.