CHAPTER 1: RESPIRATION

1.1 Human Breathing

Mechanism

Learning outcomes

The human respiratory system consist

of:
1.Respiratory organs (nasal cavity,
trachea, bronchi, lung)
2.Rib cage
3.Diaphagram
4.Intercostal muscles

The route taken by the air from the nose

till the alveolus can be as follows :

Nose

Trach
ea
Alveolus

Bronchu
s
Bronchiol
e

5. Process of inhalation and exhalation.

Inhalation

Exhalation

1. The ribcage moves UPWARDS

and outwards.

1. The ribcage moves DOWNWARDS

and inwards.

2. The diaphragm contracts,

BECOME FLATTEN.

2. The diaphragm BECOME DOOM

SHAPE

3. The thoracic cavity becomes

BIGGER.

3. The thoracic cavity becomes

SMALLER.

4. This causes the air pressure to

DECREASE.

4. This causes the air pressure to

INCREASE.

5. The HIGHER air pressure outside 5. The HIGHER air pressure in the
the lung forces air to enter the
lungs pushes the air out.
lungs.
6. 6. INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf
8xTqfspp4

1.2 TRANSPORTATION OF OXYGEN IN

HUMAN BODY.
The diagram shows the transport of
oxygen from the lungs to the body cells.

1.The air that is inhaled into the lungs

has a HIGHER concentration of oxygen
than the blood in the blood capillaries.
2.This causes the oxygen to DIFFUSE
from the lungs into the bloodstream.

3. Then, the oxygen combines with

haemoglobin to form
OXYHAEMOGLOBIN and transported
to all parts of the body.
4. Normally the body cells have a
LOWER concentration of oxygen.
5. This makes the oxyhaemoglobin to
BREAKDOWN to haemoglobin and
oxygen.
6. Then the oxygen diffuses from the
blood capillaries into the cell tissue.

The characteristics of alveolus that

make it as an efficient tissues for gas
exchange.
1.Large surface area.
2.Moist surface
3.Thin alveolar walls ( only a single
layer thick)
4.Alveolar walls covered by network of
blood capillaries.