Gas exchange in humans Flashcards
Where is the gas exchange system located?
The thorax
Describe what happens when we breath in?
- Air passes down trachea
- Trachea splits to form the two bronchi
- These tubes lead to the lungs
- Bronchi branch into smaller and smaller tubes called bronchioles
- At the end of each bronchiole there are alveoli
- These are the sight of gas exchange
What are the lungs surrounded by? (Clue: Pleural)
Pleural Membrane
What does the Pleural Membrane do? (Clue: Combined with pleural fluid)
The pleural membrane combined with pleural fluid forms a air tight seal and prevents the lungs sticking to thorax wall
What do the ribs do?
Help to protect the organs in the thorax
What do intercostal muscles do and where are they located?
- They are located between the ribs
- They are important in moving air in and out of the lungs
What does the diaphragm do?
Important in moving air in and out of the lungs
What is ventilation?
Process of moving air into and out of the lungs
What are the two types of ventilation (Clue: Breathing in and breathing out)
Inhalation and Exhalation
Describe the process of inhalation?
- Diaphragm contracts
- Intercostal muscles contract
- This causes the volume of thorax to increase and air pressure in thorax to fall
- Air pressure in the thorax is less than atmospheric pressure
- Air moves into lungs
Describe the process of exhalation?
- Diaphragm relaxes
- Intercostal muscles relax
- This causes the volume of thorax to decrease and air pressure in thorax to rise
- Air pressure in the thorax is more than atmospheric pressure
- Air moves out of lungs
Where does Gas Exchange in humans occur (Clue: Air Sacs)
Alveoli
How does oxygen diffuse in the alveoli? (Clue: Red blood cells)
Oxygen diffuses from the air into red blood cells, where it binds with haemoglobin for transport.
How does carbon dioxide diffuse in the alveoli? (Clue: Plasma)
Carbon dioxide, dissolved in the plasma, diffuses from blood into the alveolus
Why do alveoli have a large surface area? (Clue: Speed up diffusion)
Increases the rate of diffusion