Human Respiration

Human Respiration


Consists of cellular respiration and gas exchange or breathing Follows typical

aerobic respiration Without oxygen, anaerobic reispiration occurs and lactic acid
forms in the muscles Allows for gas exchange with the external environment
Nasal Cavity


Exposed to air through nostrils Lined with ciliated (hairs) mucous membrane


Filters, warms, and moistens the air

On to the Pharynx


Pharynx
 

Where the oral and nasal cavity meet. Epiglottis prevents food from entering the
trachea
Larynx


Between the Pharynx and your Trachea is you larynx or voice box


Trachea


From the Pharynx to the Trachea

Conducts air between the pharynx and bronchi Kept open by partial rings of
cartilage Line with a ciliated mucous membrane
Bronchi


Bronchi
 

Trachea splits into two (2) bronchi Same composition as trachea

Bronchioles


Bronchi split up into many bronchiole:



lined mucous membrane but lack cartilage

Where does it all end up?


Bronchioles terminate at the alveoli:

 

Thin, moist, and surrounded by capillaries This is where gas exchange takes place
between the outside and the blood
Breathing


Caused by changing pressure in the chest cavity Rate is affected by the amount of
CO2 in the blood
  

Affects the medulla of the brain It’s a feedback mechanism Breathing into a paper
bag
How is does the pressure change in the chest cavity?


The diaphragm:


A shelf of muscle extending between the thorax and abdomen of mammals In other
words it is a muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity the expands and contracts.

When the diaphragm expands, in enlarges the chest cavity creating a low pressure
inside the lungs which causes air to rush into the lungs When the diaphragm
contracts, in makes the chest cavity smaller, increasing the pressure, pushing air
out of the lungs.
What happens to the oxygen?


Oxygen is carried by hemoglobin in a cell called oxyhemoglobin Carbon dioxide is

carried in the plasma of the blood in the form of a bicarbonate ion.
Malfunctions


Bronchitis:


Inflammation of the membrane of bronchial tubes caused by infection

Malfunctions


Asthma


Allergic response characterized by constriction of bronchial tubes

Malfunctions


Emphysema:


Change in the structure pf the lung characterized by enlargement or degeneration

of the alveoli
Loss of elasticity and lung capacity  Caused by highly polluted air or cigarette
smoke

Normal lungs Emphysema