Gaseous Exchange Flashcards
What is breathing?
The physical process whereby air moves in and out the lungs.
What is Gaseous Exchange?
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide across a gaseous exchange surface.
What is cellular respiration?
A chemical process occurring inside cells in which food molecules such as glucose are broken down to release energy.
Two reasons why Gaseous Exchange is essential.
1.Absorb oxygen from the atmosphere and make it available to the cells for respiration.
2. Carbon dioxide is released by the cells during cellular respiration and must be removed. Increase of dioxide in body can lower the pH of body fluids.
What are the requirements of efficient gas exchange organs.
- Large surface - Provide sufficient oxygen and to get rid of sufficient carbon dioxide.
- Thin surface - Ensure rapid diffusion of gases.
- Moist surface - To provide cells from drying out and to ensure the gases can diffuse in a dissolved state.
- Organ must be well-ventilated - to ensure fresh supplies of air containing oxygen from the external environment. remove air containing carbon dioxide
- Well protected surface - To prevent drying out and damage.
- Transport system - for efficient transports of gases between gas exchange organs and body cells
Diaphragm
The muscular plate which separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity in humans.
Alveoli
Part of the lungs where exchange of gases take place.
Bronchi
Two main branches of the trachea
Intercostal muscle
Muscle found between the ribs and involved in the mechanism of breathing. Consists of
the external and internal intercoastal muscle.
Epiglottis
The structure that prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing.
Haemoglobin
The compound that contains iron and carries oxygen in the blood.
