6.6 Structure of human gas exchange system Flashcards

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1
Q

Why do aerobic organisms need a constant supply of oxygen

What needs to be removed from the body after this

A

Aerobic organisms need oxygen for aerobic respiration which produces energy in the form of ATP

This process produces CO2 which is harmful to the body when it builds up

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2
Q

The volume of oxygen that has to be absorbed, and the volume of CO2 that must be removed are large in mammals because…

A

. Mammals are relatively large organisms with a large volume of living cells

. They maintain a high body temperature which is related to them having a high metabolic and respiratory rate

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3
Q

What is the gas exchange surface of humans

A

Lungs ensure sufficient gas exchange between air and their blood

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4
Q

Why are lungs located inside the body of mammals

A

. Air is not dense enough to support and protect these delicate structures

. The body would lose lots of water and dry out

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5
Q

What protects the lungs

A

The ribcage is a body box

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6
Q

How can the ribs be moved

A

There are intercostal muscles between the ribs which can be internal or external and can contract or relax to make ribs expand

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7
Q

Describe function and structure of the lungs

A

. A pair of lobed structures made up of a series of highly branched tubules called bronchioles, which end in tiny air sacs called alveoli

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8
Q

Describe function and structure of the trachea

A

It is a flexible airway containing rings of cartilage
This cartilage prevents the trachea collapsing as the air pressure inside falls when breathing in (as the diaphragm and intercostal internal muscles relax)

The tracheal walls are made of muscle lined with ciliated epithelium and goblet cells

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9
Q

Describe function and structure of the bronchi

What do they contain

A

. These are two divisions of the trachea, each leading to one lung

The larger bronchi are supported by cartilage, although the amount of cartilage is reduced as bronchi get smaller

. They are similar in structure to trachea, and also produce mucus to trap dirt particles, and have cilia that can sweep this mucus up to the throat

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10
Q

Describe function and structure of the bronchioles

A

These are a series of branching subdivisions of the bronchi

Their walls are made of muscle lined with epithelial cells.

This muscle allows them to constrict so they can control the flow of air in and out of the alveoli

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11
Q

Describe function and structure of the alveoli

A

They are tiny air sacs with a diameter of between 100qm and 300qm

They are found at the end of bronchioles

Between them, collagen and elastic fibres are found .

These elastic fibres allow them to stretch as they fill with air when breathing in , and then they can spring back when breathing out to expel the CO2 rich air

They are lined with epithelium (layer of cells)

It is the alveolar membrane that is the gas exchange surface

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