CHAPTER 8 : RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

IN HUMANS AND
ANIMALS

8.1 : Types of Respiratory System

Respiratory structure = respiratory surface that enables gaseous exchange
to occur between respiring organism cells and their
outer environment.

Has adaptive characteristics to maximize the exchange

of respiratory gases.
 The insect respiratory structure and its adaptations
 Breathing system = TRACHEAL SYSTEM

 Has small pores in the thorax and abdomen called spiracles.

The spiracle allows the intake of air into tracheal system

 Trachea branches out to form finer tubes called the tracheole.

 Characteristics of tracheole that allow for efficient respiratory gaseous exchange. –

CHARACTERISTICS
Tracheole wall is thin and moist
A large number of tracheoles
Each cells are provided with a tracheole
Tips of tracheoles is thin and has fluid.
REASON
allows rapid exchange of respiratory gases.
provides a large total surface area for the exchange of
gases.
to channel the oxygen directly into the cells
Respiratoty gases can dissolve into tracheoles.

 Some insects have air sacs. This sac is filled with air to speed up the delivery of respiratory gas during
active body movements.
 Circulatory system in insects does not involve in transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide because the
body cells directly connect to respiratory surface.
 The fish respiratory structure and its adaptations
 Respiratory structure = GILLS

 Gills made up of a line of filament that is supported by the gill arch.

 Characteristics of filament enable the rapid exchange of respiratory gases :

CHARACTERISTICS
Has many thin and flat projections
called lamella (plural: lamellae).
Lamella membrane is thin and supplied
with many blood capillaries
Filaments always surround by water
REASON
Large number of filaments and lamellae = large total
surface area for an efficient gaseous exchange process.
For easy absorption and transport of oxygen and carbon
dioxide.
ease the respiratory gases to dissolve
 The frog respiratory structure and its adaptations
 Respiratory structure = SKIN AND LUNGS

SKIN
Thin and highly permeable to respiratory gases.
Moist skin = allows respiratory gases to dissolve
Many networks of blood capillaries beneath the skin to
transport respiratory gases.

LUNGS
Surface of the lungs is folded to increase the total
surface area for the exchange of gases
Thin lung membrane -> eases the diffusion of
respiratory gases.
Moist lung walls -> enable respiratory gases to
dissolve
Rich with a network of blood capillaries -> to transport
respiratory gases.
 The human respiratory structure and its adaptations

 Respiratory structure = ALVEOLUS

 Characteristics of alveolus for efficient respiratory gaseous exchange :

CHARACTERISTICS REASON
Large number of alveoli Large total surface area for the diffusion of respiratory gases
Always moist Oxygen and carbon dioxide can dissolve easily, and diffuse
through the walls into the blood capillaries.
Surrounded by a large network of blood To fasten the diffusion of respiratory gases.
capillaries
Thin alveolus wall, that is as thick as Diffusion of gases much easier.
one cell
 Comparison and contrast of respiratory structures in humans and
animals

SIMILARITIES
• Large ratio of total surface area to volume for an efficient exchange of respiratory gases.
• Respiratory structures are thin and this makes the diffusion of respiratory gases much faster.
• Respiratory structures are moist and this allows respiratory gases to dissolve in them
• Respiratory structure is complete with a network of blood capillaries (except insects), that allows for
efficient transport of respiratory gases.
THE END