The

Respiratory
System

Chapter 11
 Respiration Review
• Inhale (taking in) oxygen, exhale (releasing) carbon dioxide.
• Allows for the body to take in a continuous supply of oxygen to
carry out cell respiration (on a cellular level)
• Cellular respiration releases energy from glucose in cells and
produces carbon dioxide as a waste product.
• CO2 is toxic and cannot build up in the cells.
• Chemical energy produced in this process is ATP (Adenosine
triphosphate - C10H16N5O13P3 ) which is required to perform cell
function.
 *Pg. 50-51 WB
Respiratory Surfaces
• Increase the surface area for gas exchange,
allowing for larger bodies.
• Gas exchange must be large enough for O2 and
CO2 to exchange to occur fast enough to meet the
organisms needs
• Covered with thin, moist epithelial cells that allow
O2 and CO2 to exchange. (These gases can only
cross cell membranes when they are dissolved in
water or an aqueous solution, thus respiratory
surfaces must be moist).
• Flatworms and annelids use their outer surfaces (outer
skin) as gas exchange surfaces.
• Arthropods, annelids, and fish use gills; terrestrial
vertebrates utilize internal lungs.
• Instead of using lungs, some animals exchange gases
through their outer body surface such as gills or
trachea.
• All organisms use Ventilation process of pumping
oxygen over a respiratory surface (gills, trachea or
lungs.
• Earthworms have a series of thin-walled blood
vessels known as capillaries.
• Amphibians use their skin as a respiratory
surface.
• Frogs eliminate carbon dioxide 2.5 times as fast
through their skin as they do through their lungs.
 Gills
• Gills contain blood vessels covered by a thin epithelial layer.
• Typically gills are organized into a series of plates and may be internal
(as in crabs and fish) or external to the body (as in some amphibians).
Many fish, clams, mussels, crayfish and grabs have gills. Gills increase
surface area (S.A) for gas exchange.
• Physical adaptations that enable organisms to carry out gas exchange
in water.
• Gills are very efficient at removing oxygen from water: there is only
1/20 the amount of oxygen present in water as in the same volume of
air.
• Water flows over gills in one direction while blood flows in the
opposite direction through gill capillaries. This countercurrent flow
maximizes oxygen transfer.
– Countercurrent flow: when oxygen diffuses along a diffusion gradient
(moves from and area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration).
 • Counter-curren
t flow in the
gills provides a
greater
diffusion of
oxygen from
water into
fish’s
bloodstream.

• As water flows over the

fills, dissolved oxygen
diffuses into blood. It flows
through blood vessels and
capillaries in gill tissue.
• In insects and spiders, a series of tubes that carry air
directly to cells for gas exchange: tracheae.
• Takes place on a cellular level. A series of chemical
reactions.
• Tracheal system: internal system of branching
respiratory tubes.
• Connect body cells directly to the environment outside
the insects body through spiracles.
• Oxygen enters through spiracles and diffuses into
tracheae.
 Human Respiratory Worksheet
• The Human Respiratory System Diagram Page
49 WB
 Respiratory System Principles
1. Movement of air (contains O2) so it contacts
a moist membrane overlying blood vessels.
2. Diffusion of oxygen from the air into the
blood.
3. Transport of oxygen to the tissues and cells
of the body.
4. Diffusion of oxygen from the blood into cells.
5. Carbon dioxide follows a reverse path.
 4 Stages of Human Respiration
1) Breathing: inhaling and exhaling.
▪ Inhalation: muscle contracts lifting ribcage up and
out. Diaphragm contracts and moves down which
allows air to move in.
▪ Exhalation: muscles relax ribcage moves back down
and in diaphragm moves up and air moves out.
2) External respiration: exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide between the lungs and blood (gas exchange).
3) Internal respiration: exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide between blood and body tissue cells.
4) Cellular respiration: Use of oxygen by mitochondria
for energy production within cells.
Respiratory Structures: Diaphragm
▪ Large, dome-shaped muscle.
▪ Located along the bottom of the rib cage,
separating thoracic and abdominal cavities.
▪ Contracts and
relaxes in response
to nervous stimuli.
– Changes the volume
of the thoracic cavity.
– Respiratory and nervous system work together.
– Diaphragm and intercostal muscles work together
to move air into and out of the lungs with signals
from the brain.
 Diaphragm Cont’d
• The brain coordinates breathing
movements and regulates breathing rate.
• Brain also monitors the volume of air in
lungs and gas levels in the blood.
• Hiccups: muscle spasms of the
diaphragm that allows air into the lungs.
Respiratory Structures: Pleura
▪ Two layers of tissue separated
by a small amount of
lubricating fluid.
– Prevents friction when lungs
expand and recoil.
▪ Connects lungs to
the walls of the
thoracic cavity (region of
lungs.
▪ Membrane that creates an air
tight seal around each lung.
Respiratory Structures: Intercostal Muscles

▪ A collection of muscles that run between

the bones of the ribcage.
▪ Contract and relax in
response to nervous
stimuli.
– Changes the volume
of the thoracic cavity.
 *Pg. 52 WB
The Mechanism of Breathing
• All depends on the difference between
atmospheric pressure (always the same) and
air pressure within the chest cavity itself.
• Gas moves from areas of high pressure to
areas of low pressure.
• Inspiration:
– Diaphragm contracts (flattens
out), pulls downward.
– External intercostal muscles
contract (ribs rise).
– Chest volume ↑
– Air pressure inside the
chest ↓ -draws air in!
• Expiration:
– Diaphragm relaxes (becomes dome shaped)
– External intercostal muscles relax (ribs fall)
– Chest volume ↓
– Air pressure inside the chest cavity ↑
– Air pressure is now greater than atmospheric
pressure, forcing air out of the lungs.
– Internal intercostal muscles are only used
when expiration is forced (i.e. during exercise
or blowing out a candle.) These muscles are
not used during normal breathing.
– Regular breathing does not use the full
capacity of your lungs.
• Using signals from the brain, the diaphragm and
intercostal muscles work together to move air and out
of the lungs.
 *Pg 57 WB

Respiratory Volume:
Total Lung Capacity: Maximum volume of air that
can be held in the lungs.
Tidal Volume: The amount of air that passes in and
out of lungs with each breath
(~10% of total lung capacity).
Inhale and exhale with
normal breathing.
Inspiratory Reserve Volume: An extra volume of
air that can be taken into the
lungs after a normal breath
(taking a deep breath).
 Lung Volume:
Expiratory Reserve Volume: The additional volume of air that can be
exhaled after a normal
exhaled breath.
Vital Capacity: The maximum amount of air that can be moved in
and out of the respiratory
system in a single breath.
- Vital capacity = inspiratory reserve volume + expiratory
reserve volume + tidal volume.
Residual Volume: The amount of gas that remains in the lungs and
passageways after a full
exhalation.
-Can be calculated: tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume
+ expiratory reserve volume.

Note: You can never exhale ALL the air in your lungs, as it would
Spirograph: shows the amount of air that moves into and out
of lungs with each breath. Measure with a spirometer.
Lung Volume:
▪ Vital capacity is affected by physical activity.
▪ Exercise helps to increase the vital capacity .
▪ Smoking and inactivity drastically reduces vital
capacity.
 Homework
• Textbook Page 444 # 1,2,4,6
• Textbook Page 447 # 7,8,10,12
• The Mechanism of Breathing Worksheet Page
58 WB
• 11.1 Review Textbook Page 449 #1-14
 Minor Lab (11.2 Activity):
Respiratory Volume
• Textbook Page 447
 * Pg. 57 WB
11.2: The Respiratory System
• The main function of the respiratory system is to supply oxygen to cells and
remove waste carbon dioxide.
• Additional Functions:
• Defend body against bacteria and viruses (mucus, cilia, phagocytes).
• Produce sounds for speaking (larynx).
• Assist in control of body pH (acid-base imbalances are altered by changes in
breathing to expel more CO2 (acidic) which increase the pH to normal).
• The process of exchanging gas can be broken down into 4 stages:
• Breathing/Ventilation
– Inhalation of O2 and exhalation of CO2
• External Respiration
– Exchange of gases between air sacs (alveoli) and blood. Exchange of O2 and
CO2 between the lungs and blood (gas exchange).
• Internal Respiration
– Exchange of gases between blood and cells. Exchange of O2 and CO2
between the blood and body tissue cells.
• Cellular Respiration
– Use of oxygen by mitochondria for energy production within cells. Takes
place on a cellular level in a series of chemical reactions.
• Respiratory Tract consists of several consists of
several structures and extends from the nose to the
lungs. Lungs are the main organs of respiration.

Upper Respiratory Tract Lower Respiratory Tract

Site of Gas Exchange!
• Each bronchiole ends in
several clusters of alveoli.
• Surrounding each alveolus
is a network of capillaries.
• Gas exchange occurs
between the blood in the
capillaries and the air in the
alveolus so that blood
leaving the lungs is oxygen
rich.
 The Respiratory Pathway *Pg 56 WB

Oral/Nasal Cavity:
•Air enters the body through the mouth (oral cavity) or nose (nasal cavity).
•Nasal Cavity:
• Thick hairs lining the nostrils act as filters.
• Lined with cells that produce mucus (goblet cells) to trap foreign material. Expel by
coughing or sneezing.
• Nose has many small capillaries filled with warm blood, which help to warm the
incoming air to body temperature.
– Allows better gas exchange.
Oral Cavity:
• When air is inhaled through the oral cavity (mouth), these steps are skipped.
Pharynx:
•Common to both digestive and respiratory systems.
•Branches to both the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus.
•Epiglottis swings back and forth between the larynx (at the top of the trachea) and the
esophagus.
– Prevents food from entering larynx
– Prevents air from entering esophagus
– Connects the mouth and the nasal cavity
Larynx (Voice Box):
• Made of many pieces of small cartilage.
• Contains vocal cords.
– Two highly elastic folds that vibrate when air passes over them
– When muscles contract as air passes by from the lungs, the vibrating cords
vibrate the air, resulting in sound.
– Males have a larger larynx because the vocal cords vibrate at lover frequency, thus
having a lower voice.
– Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx.

Trachea (Windpipe):
• A strong tube containing rings of cartilage that prevent it from
collapsing. Opening to the trachea is the glottis.
• Connects larynx to lungs.
• The mucosa that lines the airway warms and moistens the air before it
reaches the lungs
• The mucosa contains mucus-producing cells and ciliated cells help to
protect lungs from dirt and particles.
• Ciliated cells push the mucus/dirt up the trachea to the pharynx, where
it is swallowed and digested in the stomach or coughed up.
 • Trachea is a
semi-circular loops
of cartilage.
• Approximately
10-12 cm in length.
• Runs from throat
to middle of chest.
• When you swallow
food the epiglottis
covers the glottis
to prevent food
Splits into 2 from entering the
bronchi trachea and
(branches)
entering the lungs.
Lungs:
• Paired organs that lie on either side of the heart and fill up the thoracic (chest)
cavity.
• Right lung- 3 lobes
• Left lung – 2 lobes (leaves space for the heart)
• Each lung is surrounded by a pleural membrane which protects them.
• Because the heart is slightly larger on the left side, the left lung has an
indent called the cardiac notch and is slightly smaller than the right.
• Each lung is divided into lobes (partitions) by fissures.
• Each lobe differs in size and shape.
• Within the lungs, the trachea branches into the left and right bronchus, which
divide into increasingly smaller branches called bronchioles.
• The smallest bronchioles end in a cluster of hollow air
sacs, collectively called an acinus.
• The acinus is made of individual air sacs called alveoli.
• Acinus: Latin for berry. Collection of cells that resemble
a raspberry. The alveolar sac is acinar in form
(containing multiple alveoli).
– Alveoli are like small balloons that inflate and deflate with air
during respiration.
– Site of gas exchange.
– Each human lung contains approximately 150 million alveoli –
a huge surface area!
– The walls of an alveolus are only one cell thick and lie next to
capillaries (also one cell thick), allowing quick gas exchange.
 Alveoli: because the concentration of
oxygen is greater in atoms, it diffuses
into the lungs.
Blood: because the concentration of
carbon dioxide is greater in blood it
diffuses across the membrane and is
exhaled into air where it is less
concentrated.

• Walls of the alveoli and capillaries are only 1 cell thick.

• Site of gas exchange.
• Oxygen diffuses into blood. Carbon dioxide from blood
diffuses into the lungs.
 *Pg 55 WB
Gas Exchange & Transport
• Gas Law: an equal volume of gas is maintained at the same
temperature, the pressure exerted by a gas determines the speed
of diffusion *(diffusion of gas occurs from an area of high
pressure to an area of low pressure).*
• Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressure: each gas in a mixture exerts its
own pressure, which is proportional to the total volume.
– Law states that in a mixture of non-reacting gases, the total
pressure exerted is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of
the individual gases.
– Partial pressure is very important in understanding the
movement of gases. Causes oxygen to enter and carbon
dioxide to leave the blood more quickly.
– Example: Atmospheric pressure at sea level is 101 kPa. If Air is
21% O2, then 21% x 101 kPa =21.21 kPa.
– If Air is 0.03% CO2, then 0.03% x 101 kPa =0.04 kPa.
 Factors that affect Gas Exchange
• Surface area: the ↑ the surface area means the ↑ gas
exchange.
• Concentration difference: the ↑ the difference between
oxygen or carbon dioxide concentrations in the air, lungs
and the blood, the more rapidly diffusion will take place.
- As a result of alveolar air contains a greater amount of
carbon dioxide and greater oxygen than atmosphere air.
Therefore, oxygen enters the lungs and carbon dioxide
leave the blood as both gases diffuse from and area of
high to low concentration.
• Diffusion distance: the ↓ the distance gases must diffuse
across, the faster gas exchange will occur.
– surface area available for gas exchange is on average 54.4m2
counting all of the 150 million alveoli.
 Partial Pressures of O2 & CO2
• Partial pressures of O2 and CO2 dissolved in the
blood differs greatly depending on the location in
the body.
• Partial pressure of CO2 is greater in tissues and veins
and that of O2 is greater in arteries and alveoli.
• In the Atmosphere: [O2] is highest, [CO2] is lowest.
• At the alveoli in the lungs: [O2] is lower then
atmosphere, and [CO2] is increased.
• In the Tissues: [O2] drops even lower and [CO2]
increases further.
• In atmosphere: 21 % O2, 0.04% CO2
 Oxygen Transport
• O2 diffuses from the alveoli into the blood and plasma.
• Hemoglobin (respiratory pigment in RBCs) ↑ O2 carrying capacity.
• A small amount of O2 dissolves in the water of the blood plasma
(1%).
• The majority of the O2 diffuses in the RBCs (99% O2 carried by
hemoglobin).
• When O2 dissolves in RBCs:

O2 + Hb = oxyhemoglobin
(weak bond)
O2 comes off the Hb when it passes through tissues that
have a lower O2 concentration than the RBCs and freely
diffuses into the cell’s mitochondria for cellular respiration

• With Hb, blood can carry 20 mL of O2 /100 mL of blood. 70% more

than it could without it.
• ~ 0.3 mL of O2 dissolves in blood plasma(1%), not very soluble.
 *Pg 54 WB

• The amount of O2 that combines with Hb

depends on the partial pressure of O2.
– Ex: At the lungs (where partial pressure of O2 is
high), blood is saturated with O2!
– Ex: At the capillaries (where the partial pressure of
O2 drops), causes the dissociation or separation of
O2 from hemoglobin so that O2 will diffuse into the
tissues.
 O2 – Hb dissociation curve
• The graph shows hemoglobin’s affinity for O2, depending on
where the O2 is in the body.

• This ensures that most of the oxygen remains bound to

the hemoglobin until it gets to the tissue capillaries.
 CO2 Transport
• CO2 is 20X more soluble than O2.
• CO2 is transported three ways:
– 1) as dissolved gas in water molecules of blood plasma (9%).
– 2) combines with hemoglobin (23%) of the RBCs (27%)
– 3) reacts with water to produce carbonic acid which
immediately dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and H+
ions in the RBCs & the plasma.
– In plasma: CO2 + H2O = HCO3- (very slow reaction)
– But,..in RBCs, with the help of an enzyme, CO2 + H2O = HCO3-
(very fast!!!). The enzyme is called:
» Carbonic Anhydrase (found in RBC’s)
» Speeds the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to form
carbonic acid.
• This conversion reduces the concentration of CO2 in
the plasma and ensures CO2 to diffuse into blood.
• In RBC’s, with
carbonic anhydrase,
CO2 combines with
water to form
carbonic acid
(HCO3-), which then
dissociated into H+
and HCO3- ions.
• Because acids can
lower pH of blood to
dangerous levels,
they must be
buffered.
• This rapid conversion of free CO2→H2CO3, ↓ the
concentration of CO2 in the plasma, thus
maintains a low partial pressure of CO2 in the
blood ensuring that CO2 continues to diffuse into
the blood.
• The formation of acids (HCO3-) can change the
pH of blood (this can be very dangerous!)
therefore, they must be buffered.
• Haemoglobin acts as a buffer in our blood b/c of
the unstable carbonic acid which dissociates to
bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions
(H+).
• Buffer: helps maintain a specific pH in the body.
Therefore achieving homeostasis.
• The H+ ions take O2’s place on the Hb to make reduced
Hb therefore removing any excess H+ from solution
while the HCO3- ions are transported to the plasma.
– When hemoglobin combines with H+, it removes H+ from the
solution and thereby act as buffers.

• O2 is now released from Hb where it can diffuse into

nearby tissues.

• Once the venous blood returns to the lungs, O2

replaces the H+ ions from Hb. Now the free H+ and
HCO3- combine to form CO2 and H2O. Finally the very
concentrated CO2 diffuses from the blood into the
alveoli and is exhaled.
 CO2 Transport

Diagram 1: Diagram 2:
•CO2 diffuses from body tissues into •Once the venous blood reaches the
blood plasma and RBC’s where it lungs the high concentration of CO2
binds to hemoglobin. diffuses from blood into alveoli and is
•Reacts with water to produce eliminated during exhalation.
carbonic acid which then dissociates
into H+ and HCO3- ions.
 Homework
• Textbook Page 452 # 16,18
• 11.2 Review Page 454 # 1,4,6,8,10,11
• Bozeman Video: Respiratory System (~ 9min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrDbiKQO
tlU
• Crash Course Video: Respiratory System Part 1
(~9 mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHZsvBdU
C2I
• Crash Course Video: Respiratory System Part 2
(~ 10 mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqt4LjHnM
EA
 Disorders of the

Respiratory
System
Chapter 11.3
 *Pg. 53 WB

Asthma
► Asthma causes inflammation of the bronchi/bronchioles.
► Allergic reaction causes the body to respond- extra mucus is produced and
the bronchioles will spasm and narrow causing shortness of breath.
► Affects 8.5% of Canadians and 13% of Canadian children
► A contraction of the smooth muscle that surrounds the airways
► Accompanied by increased mucous production
► Causes shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness
 Asthma
► Thought to be partly an allergic reaction with an hereditary
component.
► Treated with bronchodilators which are corticosteroid that
increase the size of the bronchi, allowing for passage of air.
► Medication usually taken as a puffer to target
constricted airways, making breathing easier by
dilating airways.
 Bronchitis
► Affects 1 in 21 Americans (4.5% of population)
► Inflammation of the bronchial lining caused by viral infection
(or smoke).
► Leads to overproduction of mucous and sputum and frequent
coughing.
► Sputum is a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up the respiratory
tract.
► Increased mucous production blocks smaller airways, reduces
respiratory efficiency and causes discomfort/difficult when
breathing.

► Treated with bronchodilators.

 Bronchitis
Acute Bronchitis:
► Severe inflammation that occurs over the short term.
► Often caused by a viral infection or bacterial infection
that settles in the lungs.
Chronic Bronchitis:
► COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is
bronchitis that doesn’t go away.
► A result of environmental irritants.
► Cigarette smoking, chemical vapours, air pollutants.
► Cannot be cured but can be treated by quitting
smoking, medication and exercise.
 Emphysema
► Affects 1 in 136 Americans.
► Often associated with chronic
bronchitis.
► Caused by long term exposure to airborne irritants.
► Smoking, pollution, etc.
► Affects the ability of lungs to expel air.
► Cilia in airway become damaged and no longer
effectively filter debris.
► Results in debris build-up in air tubes.
► Air has difficulty reaching the alveoli.
► Walls of alveoli lose their elasticity.
 Emphysema
► Air pressure builds up and causes the lungs
to appear inflated.
► Increased pressure, causes alveoli walls to tear
and become damaged.

► Leads to decreased surface area for diffusion

of gases.
 Emphysema
► Breathing rate increases to compensate for
less gas exchange area.
► Extra stress placed on heart.
► Can lead to collapsed lungs.
► Incurable, best way is to stop smoking and
avoid lung irritants such as dust and second
hand smoke.
 Cystic Fibrosis
► Affects 1 in 3600 Canadians.
► Autosomal recessive genetic disease affecting both
respiratory and digestive systems (gene carried on
chromosome 7).
► Abnormally thick mucous blocks the respiratory passages,
overcoming normal filtering processes.
► Osmotic balance across cell membrane is affected. This
leads to the build up of mucus in respiratory and digestive
tract.
 Cystic Fibrosis
► Causes recurrent lung infections, persistent
cough.
► No cure, but is treated with antibiotics,
physiotherapy and gene therapy.

► 90% of inflicted patients live to early 40s.

► Males are typically infertile.
 Collapsed Lung
► Not a disease, but rather a
common side effect of other
issues.
► Caused by an accumulation of air in the
thoracic cavity. Pleural membrane is
punctured.
► Puts pressure on lung, preventing expansion
during inhalation.
► Result of hole in the lung.
► Wound, rib fracture, emphysema, etc.
 Collapsed Lung
► Results in chest pain, shortness
of breath, rapid heart rate,
bluish skin.
► Treated by removing air in
thoracic cavity.
► Can use a needle or chest tube.
► Removing air in the thoracic cavity decreases
pressure and allows the lung to re-expand
within the chest cavity (moves from an area of
high pressure to an area of low pressure).
► Severe cases may require surgery to
repair the damaged lung.
Common Environmental Causes: Asbestos
► Used as an insulator in older buildings.
► Causes diseases of the pleura, which can lead to lung cancer with
persistent exposure.

► Can take as long as 20 years to act.

 Common Environmental Causes:
Silica

► A major component of rock and sand.

► Irritates respiratory tract and damages lungs.
► Lungs become fibrotic (less elastic, resulting in lower
lung volume).
 Common Environmental Causes:
Recycled Air
► Indoor pollutants (smoke, organic
compounds, etc.) are not ventilated.
► Causes nausea, headaches, fatigue, and mucous
membrane irritation.
► Also called “sick building syndrome.”
 Homework
► Textbook Page 458 # 20,23
► 11.3 Review Textbook Page 464 #
3,6,10,16
Minor Lab: 11-A Exchanging
Gas Through Body Surface
► Textbook Page 465-466
► Prelab #1-3 and Analysis/Interpret #1-6