Respiratory

System
Human Physiology II
HNAD-2104
Contents
1. Respiratory mechanics
2. Gas transport and Exchange Mechanism
3. Control of Respiration
4. Respiratory Capacities and volumes
5. Non-Respiratory function of lungs
Respiration = Breathing ?
 Tissue Respiration, Gas Exchange and
Breathing
• Aerobic respiration involves both internal respiration (tissue
respiration) and external respiration (gaseous exchange).
• Internal Respiration: oxidation of organic food molecules with the
liberation of energy; occurs in cells/ tissues of living organisms
• External Respiration: process of oxygen transfer from surrounding
air/ water to cells and transfer of products of respiration (carbon
dioxide & water) from cells to surrounding medium (air/water)
• Breathing part of gaseous exchange; muscular contractions and
movement of ribs resulting in the movement of air in and out of
lungs
 The uses of energy from respiration
• Muscle contraction
• Synthesis of molecules
• Growth
• Cell division
• Active transport
• Passage of nerve impulses
• Maintenance of a constant body temperature
Gas Inhaled Exhaled air/ %
(atmospheric
air)/ %
Nitrogen 78 78
Oxygen 21 16
Carbon dioxide 0.04 4
Other gases 1 1
 Inhalation Exhalation
External intercostal muscles Contract Relax

Internal intercostal muscles Relax Contract

Ribs Move up and outwards Move down and inwards

Diaphragm Muscles contract, flattening Muscles relax and diaphragm

diaphragm assumes a dome shape

Volume of chest cavity Increases Decreases

Pressure in chest cavity Decreases Increases

Air movements Air drawn into lungs Air drawn out of lungs
 Gas exchange in the alveoli
In humans gas exchange takes place in the alveoli of the lungs.
For this to be efficient the alveoli need a structure that
provides:
1. A large surface area for efficient diffusion of oxygen
and carbon dioxide
2. A short distance for the rapid diffusion of gases
between the air in the alveoli and the blood
3. A continuous supply of deoxygenated blood to
maintain diffusion gradients for the respiratory gases