Gaseous Exchange and

Smoking
 Describe the gross structure of the
human gas exchange system.
Trachea branching into bronchus, the
bronchus branches into terminal
bronchioles which further divide into
smaller bronchioles where the alveoli
are attached to.
Cartilage prevents trachea and
bronchus from collapsing.
The ribs protect the lung cavity,
where there are several intercostal
muscles in between.
 Functions.
Cartilage: keeps the airways open and air resistance
low, in trachea and bronchus.
Ciliated epithelium: We findciliated epithelialtissue
in our respiratory tract, it contains cilia which vibrate to
move mucus up the throat.
Goblet Cells: Produce mucus which traps dust and
bacteria.
Smooth muscle: Smooth muscletissue in their walls
(trachea, bronchus, terminal bronchiole) helps to
regulate airflow into the lungs. When greater volumes of
air are required by the body, such as during exercise,
thesmooth musclerelaxes to dilate the bronchi and
bronchioles.
Elastic fibres: Allows the alveoli to stretch and recoil for
diffusion of gases.
 Describe the process of gas
exchange.
This process takes place between air
in the alveoli and the blood.
Oxygen diffuses down its
concentration gradient from the air in
the alveoli into the blood.
A steep concentration gradient is
maintained due to breathing and
movement of the blood.
 Effects of tar
Tar contains carcinogens, which are the causing agents of cancer.
Leading to Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema and Lung cancer.
Chronic Bronchitis: it is the case when goblet cells are enlarged
producing excess mucus. The cilia are damaged so no longer function
in moving the mucus, the mucus accumulates causing inflammation
and the damaged epithelia is replaced my scar tissue. The smooth
muscle surrounding the airways becomes thicker, making the airways
narrow. Symptoms: difficulty in breathing, persistent coughing.
Emphysema: In emphysema the elastin in alveolar walls is damaged so
they will no longer be able to stretch or recoil. The bronchioles collapse
during expiration, resulting in the alveoli to burst. The number of
capillaries decreases so less oxygen is absorbed into the blood.
Symptoms: Wheezing, coughing.
Lung Cancer: The carcinogen reacts with DNA in epithelium and causes
uncontrolled cell division by mitosis resulting in a tumor. Metastasis
takes place where the tumour spreads through the body. The most
clear and known symptom only associated with lung cancer is
coughing up blood.
 Effects of nicotine and Carbon
monoxide.
Nicotine: stimulates the nervous system to reduce
the diameter of the arterioles, heart rate and blood
pressure increases so decrease in blood supply to
extremities. Increases risk of blood clotting.
Carbon monoxide: diffuses into red blood cells and
combines with hemoglobin to form
carboxyhemoglobin. Less oxygen is transported in
the blood. It also damages the lining of the
arteries. This causes build up of fatty tissue and
reducing blood flow resulting in a stroke or
coronary heart disease.