Gas Exchange Humans Flashcards
Topic 2 G.2
The thorax is the human
chest cavity
thorax consists of (8)
- ribs
- intercostal muscles
- diaphragm
- trachea
- bronchi
- bronchioles
- alveoli
- pluriel membranes
gas exchange surface in humans are the
lungs
adaptations of lungs for good gas exchange (4)
- large surface area
- thin walls
- good ventilation with air
- good blood supply
ribs
bones that protect internal muscles like the lungs
intercostal muscles
muscles between the ribs that control the ribs’ movement causing inhalation and exhalation
diaphragm
sheet of connective tissue/muscle at bottom of thorax that helps change the volume of thorax to allow inhalation and exhalation
trachea
windpipe that connects mouth and nose to the lungs
bronchi
large tubes branching off of trachea with one connecting to each lung
bronchioles
bronchi split to form smaller tubes called bronchioles in the lungs connected to alveoli
alveoli
tiny air sacs surrounded by capillaries where gas exchange takes place
pleural cavity
fluid filled space between pleural membranes which reduces friction and allows lungs to move freely
when you breathe in, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles
contract
when you breathe in thorax volume
increases
when you breathe in, pressure _____ bringing air ___
decreases
in
when you breathe out, intercostal muscles and diaphragm
relax
thorax volume _____ when you breathe out
decreases
when you breathe out, pressure ____ so air is forced ___
increases
out
External intercostal muscles, pull the rib cage ___
up
Internal intercostal muscles pull the ribcage ___
down
During inhalation
The diaphragm contracts and flattens
The external set of intercostal muscles contract to pull the ribs up and out:
This increases the volume of the chest cavity (thorax)
Leading to a decrease in air pressure inside the lungs relative to outside the body
Air is drawn in
during exhalation
The diaphragm relaxes it moves upwards back into its domed shape
The external set of intercostal muscles relax so the ribs drop down and in
This decreases the volume of the chest cavity (thorax)
Leading to an increase in air pressure inside the lungs relative to outside the body
Air is forced out
adaptations of alveoli for gas exchange (5)
- thin, one cell thick walls to minimise diffusion distance
- surrounded by capillaries to ensure a good blood supply
- moist lining , A layer of moisture on the surface of the alveoli helps diffusion as gases dissolve
- walls are permeable, so gases can diffuse across easily
- well ventilated, maintains high levels of oxygen and low levels of carbon dioxide in the alveolar air space, meaning there is a steep concentration gradient for diffusion of gases
smoking cigarettes can lead to
diseases in the lungs and can lead to coronary heart disease