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3.7. Gas Exchange

Gas exchange is the process by which living organisms take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, essential for respiration. In humans, this occurs through a complex respiratory system that includes the bronchial tree, alveoli, and a ventilation system to ensure efficient gas exchange. An ideal respiratory surface is thin, has a large surface area, is moist, well-ventilated, and has a rich capillary supply.

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9 views2 pages

3.7. Gas Exchange

Gas exchange is the process by which living organisms take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, essential for respiration. In humans, this occurs through a complex respiratory system that includes the bronchial tree, alveoli, and a ventilation system to ensure efficient gas exchange. An ideal respiratory surface is thin, has a large surface area, is moist, well-ventilated, and has a rich capillary supply.

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2.

39 Gas exchange supplies oxygen for respiration


Exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
Respiration: oxygen oxidises food to release energy.
Living organisms must take in oxygen from the air and remove carbon dioxide wastes
into the air. Swapping of the gases is known as gaseous (gas) exchange. This takes
place through a respiratory surface.

An ideal respiratory surface:


• Is thin (one cell thick) – for a short diffusion distance
• Has a large surface area – for efficient diffusion
• Is moist – so gases can dissolve to diffuse
• Is well ventilated – to maintain the conc. gradient
• Has a rich supply of capillaries – for transport of gases

Gas exchange in humans


Must be efficient – humans (as all mammals) use plenty of energy: they are active and maintain a constant
body temperature. The respiratory system is made of:
• a set of tubes – highly branched (the ‘bronchial tree’). They allow air to enter the body.
• a respiratory surface – membranes lining the alveoli (air sacs) in lungs.
• a blood supply (by the pulmonary artery & vein) – carry dissolved gases.
• a ventilation system (intercostal muscles and diaphragm) – good air flow over surfaces.

See pg 113 – blue boxes

Larynx (voice box) – vocal cords vibrate as air flows passed.


Trachea (windpipe) – main pipe towards lungs. Contains C-shaped rings of cartilage
(preventing collapse).
Bronchus – first branch from the trachea (one to each lung – 2 bronchi). Contain
blocks of cartilage.

Dr Jocelyn Potamitou, The Heritage Private School, Limassol


Bronchiole –very fine terminal branches leading to alveolus – lined with
muscle (no cartilage).

Alveoli (air sacs) – lined by thin, moist


membranes where gas exchange takes place.

Total surface area = a tennis court (in humans!)

Note:
A short oxygen supply causes suffocation by
drowning – plasma leaks out of capillaries into
the alveoli due to over working of the right
ventricle.

The bronchial tree is lined by ciliated epithelial cells and goblet cells, forming
the mucous membrane.
Goblet cells – produce sticky mucus.
Cilia – fine ‘hair-like’ structures beat together to carry mucus (with trapped
microbes and dust away from the lungs).

Cells obtain oxygen for respiration by diffusion from red blood


cells. Carbon dioxide produced, dissolves in tissue fluids to form
hydrogencarbonate ions (HCO3_)*. From this fluid carbon
dioxide diffuses into the plasma.
* Prevents lowering of pH
Oxygen is carried as oxyhaemoglobin in red blood cells. The
protein molecule haemoglobin is packaged in cells so it does
not affect the water balance between plasma and tissue fluid.

Branch of pulmonary artery

Branch of pulmonary vein

Dr Jocelyn Potamitou, The Heritage Private School, Limassol

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