Dr.

ALLAN DUNGANI ODANGA

H58/40417/2021
USING RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AS AN EXAMPLE DISCUSS HOW
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTROL MECHANISMS ARE EMPLOYED

Gas exchange plays a key role in the respiratory system to maintain homeostasis. However, the
respiratory system has several other strategies that keep the body in equilibrium.
Respiratory Mechanical Functions to Maintain Homeostasis

 The mouth and nose are the first lines of defense against invaders trying to enter via the
respiratory system.
 Coughing and sneezing are important for expelling mucus and clearing the airways.
 Mucus traps bacteria, viruses, and dust before they progress further into the body.
 Tiny hairs in the nose and trachea have a thin coating of mucus to catch and hold
particulates until they are expelled.
 The lungs also have vessels containing a fibrinolytic system that dissolves clots that try
to pass through.
Gas Exchange
One of the main homeostatic functions of the respiratory system is the gas exchange that
occurs in the alveoli. As blood passes through the alveolar sacs, changing pressure gradients
allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse in and out of the blood.
Gas exchange in the lungs also helps maintain acid-base balance in the body. If the pH of the
blood becomes too acidic, the breathing rate increases and this reduces the amount of carbon
dioxide in the blood so the pH increases toward normal. Blood that is too alkaline will trigger
slowing of the breathing to increase the amount of carbon dioxide (and thus, carbonic acid) and
lower the pH
Breathing is controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic portions of the autonomic
nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system causes bronchodilation like what happens
during exercise. Conversely, parasympathetic stimulation results in bronchoconstriction.
Temperature Regulation
one way the body dissipates excess heat to maintain homeostasis is through exhalation. Air that
enters the lungs is warmed by body heat and then exhaled. This coupled with the evaporation
of sweat from sweat glands cools the body.
Immunity
The lungs secrete an antibody known as IgA and cytokines like interleukin 25 (IL-25) and
interleukin 33 (IL-33) to destroy invaders. Lymphoid tissue lines the respiratory system and it
produces white blood cells such as lymphocytes that are ready to recognize and deactivate
microbes entering the lungs. Cells called alveolar macrophages make up the largest population
of immune cells in the lungs.