BODY SYSTEMS : RESPIRATORY

1. BODY SYSTEMS: RESPIRATORY By Marina Vanini

2. Main Functions • Gas exchange • Uptake of oxygen • Disposal of carbon dioxide

3. Main Function: Gas Exchange • The absorbing of oxygen from the environment • The releasing of carbon dioxide to the environment • Most of the time involve the respiratory & circulatory system

4. Simple to Complex Organisms • Gills • Tracheal Systems • Lungs

5. Gills in Aquatic Animals • The organ used by fish and other aquatic animals (star fish, scallops & others) • Gills differ in structure per aquatic animal • Water poses advantages & disadvantages • Advantage: the plasma membranes are constantly surrounded by water • Disadvantage: if water becomes warm and salty, the gills cannot hold a lot of dissolved oxygen

6. Tracheal Systems in Insects • This system is made up air tubes that extend throughout the body of the insect • The tracheae (largest tubes) extend outside the body of the insect • Because there is limited space and gas is exchanged by diffusion, the circulatory system plays no role in transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide

7. Lungs • The lungs are located in only one area of the body • Spiders, terrestrial snails and vertebrates all have lungs • Frogs and turtles are the exceptions • The skin of a frog can supplement gas exchange with its lungs while turtles supplement gas exchange through their mouth and anus • The circulatory system keeps the lungs closed off from all other parts of the body • Most small animals that have lungs can do gas exchange in other ways • The size and how complex the lungs are directly tie to the animal itself

8. Gas Exchange Focus on Humans • Air is taken in through the nostrils then through the nasal cavity then the pharynx • With food intake, the larynx moves up then tips the epiglottis over the opening of the windpipe (glottis) • For the majority of mammals with lungs, the larynx has been adapted to be a voice box • To make a sound, the vocal cords in the larynx have to be tense and stretch so that they will vibrate

9. The Trachea in Humans • Also known as the windpipe • Air is passed from the larynx to the trachea • The shape of the trachea is formed by two C shaped rings that are made of cartilage • The trachea divides into two bronchi, which lead to each lung • They contain the bronchioles, which are very fine tubes

10. The Trachea as a Tree • The tracheal system in humans has been compared to an inverted tree • The trachea acting as the tree trunk • The branches of the tree are lined with epithelium • These branches are also covered by cilia and mucus as a way to cleanse a person’s respiratory system

11. Alveoli • The smallest bronchioles group together at their ends to form alveoli • These alveoli (singular – alveolus) are tiny air sacs • This is where gas exchange takes place in the lungs • Oxygen fills the alveoli and then dissolves and diffuses into capillaries around the alveolus • Carbon dioxide is released in the opposite direction of oxygen, from the capillaries

12. How an Amphibian Breathes • Amphibians breathe by positive pressure breathing • When an amphibian breathes, their oral cavity is lowered and they breathe in air through their nostrils • Then, the nostrils and mouth close, the oral cavity rises and air is forced down the trachea

13. How a Mammal Breathes • Mammals breathe through negative pressure breathing • Muscles change the volume of the rib cage so the lungs must keep up and change volume also • The volume of the lungs increases as a result of the diaphragm as well • A residual volume of air stays in your lungs after you’ve exhaled

14. How a Bird Breathes • Ventilation is very complex in birds • Birds have between eight and nine air sacs that keep air flowing through the lungs

15. Major Structures

16. Interdependence • Circulatory – for gas exchange, oxygen going in and carbon dioxide going out • Skeletal – The sternum of the skeletal system helps protect the lungs • Digestive – The larynx moves upward and allows food to be consumed • Nervous – The brain sends the respiratory system messages to breathe in air • Immune – The immune system fights off infections in the lungs • Muscular – Oxygen in the lungs is transported to the heart • Excretory – Unwanted gases are sent out

17. The Necessity of Gas Exchange • Gas exchange as part of the respiratory system is very important and necessary • Gas exchange helps animals breathe and keeps them alive

18. Major Themes of Biology • Relationship of Structure to Function – The structural levels from molecules to organisms ensure successful functioning in all living organisms and living systems. • For example: human lungs • In the lungs, air enters the nostrils, the nasal cavity, the pharynx, the larynx, the trachea, the bronchi, the bronchioles then the alveoli • Each level is moderated so that gas exchanges can take place properly and everything works well

19. Major Themes of Biology • Science, Technology, and Society – Scientific research often leads to technological advances that can have positive and/or negative impacts upon society as a whole. • Many medical complications can come about from the lungs but many can be treated because of modern technology, giving society a positive impact

20. Asthma • Asthma • Causes – animals, dust, changes in weather, chemicals, exercise, mold, pollen, smoke • Symptoms – Cough, shortness of breath, wheezing • Cures/Medicines – Control drugs, quick relief drugs

21. COPD • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease • Causes – Smoking, occupational exposure, genetics, air pollution • Symptoms – Cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing • Cures/Medicines – Stop smoking, inhaler, anti-inflammatory medicines

22. Lung Cancer • Lung cancer • Causes – Cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke • Symptoms – Chest pain, cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, wheezing • Cures/Medicines – Many things including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery

23. Works Cited • http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004529/ • http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001153/ • http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001196/ • http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/bmurphy/student/respiratory_system.htm