CHAPTER 22
Respiration: The Exchange of Gases
MECHANISMS OF GAS EXCHANGE
Gas exchange is the interchange of O
2
and CO
2
between an organism and its environment
It is also called respiration
Breathing ventilates the lungs
Breathing is the alternation of inhalation (active) and
exhalation (passive)
Negative pressure breathing
Diaphragm moves down & expands chest cavity
pulls air into lungs
inhale exhale
TRANSPORT OF GASES IN THE BODY
Blood transports the respiratory gases, with
hemoglobin carrying the oxygen
The heart pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs
In the lungs it picks up O
2
and drops off CO
2(external
respiration)
In the tissues, cells pick up CO
2
and drop off O
2-(Internal
respiration)
Gases diffuse down pressure gradients in the lungs
and the tissues
Gas exchange: Diffusion of gases
Gases move by diffusion from high to low
concentration
capillaries are thin-walled tubes of circulatory
system
alveoli are thin-walled sacs of respiratory system
blood lungs
CO
2
O
2
CO
2
O
2
blood body
CO
2
O
2
CO
2
O
2
capillaries in lungs capillaries in muscle
Gas exchange in the body
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells
It carries most of the oxygen in the blood
Heme
group
Iron
atom
O2 loaded
in lungs
O2 unloaded
in tissues
Polypeptide chain
O2
O2
Disorders of the
Respiratory
system
Asthma: a severe allergic reaction in
which contraction of the bronchioles
makes breathing difficult
Bronchitis: an inflammation of the lining of the
bronchial tubes. The passageways to the
alveoli become swollen and clogged with
mucus
Lung Cancer: a disease in which tumors
form in the lungs as a result of irregular and
uncontrolled cell growth
Emphysema: lungs lose their elasticity,
deterioration of the lung structure
Pneumonia: alveoli become filled with fluid.
Caused by bacterial or viral infection