Topic 2 The Respiratory System: Avian vs Mammalian Respiration

Question 1

• Dramatically different than human respiration
• Due to unique anatomy of birds, respiration is both continuous and unidirectional
• Air sacs allow birds to exchange gas during inhalation and exhalation
• Oxygen rich incoming air is first stored in air sacs before entering lungs for exhalation, so it is not mixed with deoxygenated outgoing air

Answer 1

Avian Respiration

Question 2

• Tidal breathing – we breathe in and out through the same tubing, inhibiting gas exchange during exhalation
• Deoxygenated air is mixed with fresh air during inhalation, thus some of it is re-inhaled
• Much less efficient than birds

Answer 2

Mammalian Respiration