Form 3 Science

Chapter One RESPIRATION

Alveolus Carbon dioxide RESPIRATION

Ribs Trachea
Oxygen
Ribs Oxygen
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Oxygen Lungs Alveolus
Trachea Carbon dioxide
Alveolus
Lungs Lungs

Oxygen Carbon dioxide Lungs

Ribs Lungs Oxygen Trachea

Alveolus
Why a respiratory system is needed ?

1. All living organisms need to take in oxygen in order to carry out cellular
respiration (still remember ? Glucose + oxygen  carbon dioxide + water
+ energy).
2. Respiration is the taking in of oxygen by our body from the external
environment.
3. Inhalation – breathing in, exhalation – breathing
out.
4. Small organism, amoeba, can get the gas it
needs through simple diffusion because its
body surface is big (compared to its body size).
5. Human has big body size and so its surface
area is small, so he needs a respiratory system
so that the gas he breath in is enough.

Comparison
between a human
and an amoeba.
Structure of air passage

Air passage into the lungs

1. Nostril  nasal cavity  pharynx 

trachea  bronchus  bronchioles 
alveolus

2. Breathing through the nose

a. Trap foreign particles
b. Moist and warm the air
c. Detect dangerous gas
3. Trachea has a cartilage ring – to keep the air passage open
4. Trachea opens into two bronchus.
5. Bronchus open into bronchioles, eventually into air sacs, called alveolus.

6. The inner lining of trachea has a layer of mucus to trap particles, secreted by
goblet cells.
Alveolus

1. At the end of the bronchioles are

small air sacs called alveoli.
2. At the alveoli, gases exchange
takes place.
3. Adaptation of alveolus for gases
exchange:

a. Moist surface – easier gas diffusion

b. Thin alveolus wall, shorter distance
of diffusion
c. Large number of capillaries – better
transportation
d. Large number of alveolus – larger
surface for diffusion
Structure of the supporting tissues

1. The ribs
2. Intercostals muscle
3. Diaphragm
4. There are 10 pairs of ribs attaching
backbone and the sternum
5. Intercostals muscle attaches to the ribs.
6. When the intercostals muscle contract,
the ribs move upwards and outwards,
and vice-versa.
7. Diaphragm is situated at the bottom of
the rib cage. At rest, it curves upwards
and flatten when contracts.
Inhalation

1. Intercostals muscle contract

2. The ribs move upwards and outwards.
3. The diaphragm muscle contract, and it flattens.
4. The thoracic cavity increases.
5. The air pressure in the lungs lowers.
6. Atmospheric air pressure forces the air into the lungs.

Exhalation

1. Intercostals muscle relax

2. The ribs move downwards and inwards.
3. The diaphragm muscle relax, and it curves upwards.
4. The thoracic cavity decreases.
5. The air pressure in the lungs rises.
6. Air pressure in the lungs forces the air out into the atmosphere.
The transport of oxygen in the human body

Alveolus
O2

Hb + O2  HbO2 HbO2  Hb + O2
HbCO2  Hb + CO2
Blood Hb + CO2  HbCO2

Cell
CO2
 In the alveolus O2 moisture  alveolus wall  blood in the capillary

In the blood Oxyhaemoglobin is carried to the cells

At the cells Oxyhaemoglobin breaks into Hb and O2.

O2 is supplied to the cells. Respiration is carried out. CO2 is produced.
CO2 diffuses into the blood.

In the blood CO2 combines with haemoglobin to form carbaminohaemoglobin.

Carbaminohaemoglobin is carried to the lungs.

In the alveolus Carbaminohaemoglobin breaks into Hb and CO2.

CO2 diffuses into the alveolus.
The importance of healthy respiratory system

Respiratory system is important and must be taken care of properly.

Some harmful substances that may harm RS.

Smoking, smoke from factories, open burning, etc releases harmful substances.

1. Tar – alveolus wall less elastic, block air passages.

- prevent harmful substances from removal.

2. Carbon monoxide – binds with Hb, and Hb cannot bind O2.

3. Harmful substances – cause cancer.

 Respiratory diseases

1. Bronchitis
2. Emphysema
3. Smoking mother.

How to improve air quality

1. Stop smoking
2. Control the flow and the number of traffic.
3. Use unleaded petrol
4. Encourage car pooling
5. Use catalytic converters to reduce the amount of harmful substances
from the vehicles
6. Enforce laws to curb pollutants from factories and vehicles
7. Stop open burning
8. Planting of more trees.