Gas Change

GAS CHANGE
• Is the uptake of molecular oxygen from the environment and the discharge
of carbon dioxide to the environment
• It is often called as respiratory exchange
Oxygen is needed in tissues for aerobic respiration to occur and extract ATP
from food
• Carbon dioxide must released to prevent physiological pH in tissues from

being acidic
Basic Principles Influencing Gas Exchange
1. To allow gas exchange, the environment should be moist, large enough and protected from
desiccation.
2.Respiratory systems rely on the diffusion of gases down pressure gradients.
3. Gases and food molecules dissolved in water must be absorbed and waste products must be
eliminated.
4. Ventilation- It refers to the movement of the respiratory medium (air or water) over the respiratory
surface.
5. Respiratory Pigments or Protein
Adaptations of animals for gas exchange include respiratory pigments that bind and transport gases
1. Blood cannot carry sufficient oxygen and carbon dioxide in dissolved form to meet the body’s
requirements; hemoglobin helps enhance its capacity
2. The respiratory pigment of vertebrate is hemoglobin while that of invertebrate (e.g. arthropods and
molluscs) is hemocyanin
Structures for Gas Exchange in Plants
1. Stomata in Leaves- Stomata are the minute openings, generally found in
the epidermis of leaves. They are typically found in plant leaves and can
also be found in stems and other parts of plants. Stomata play an
important role in gaseous exchange and photosynthesis. They control by
transpiration rate by opening and closing.
Functions of Stomata
The main functions of stomata are:
1.Gaseous exchange- Stomatal opening and closure help in the gaseous

exchange between the plant and surrounding.
2. It helps in transpiration and removal of excess water in the form of water
vapour.
3. Stomatal closure at night prevents water from escaping through pores.
4. It maintains the moisture balance according to weather by opening and
closing.
5. Stomata facilitate carbon dioxide uptake and release of oxygen during the
process of photosynthesis.
The mechanism of stomatal opening and closure
• The opening and closing of stomata depend on the turgor pressure, caused by
the osmotic flow of water in the guard cells. When the guard cells are turgid,
they expand resulting in the opening of stomata. When the guard cells lose
water, they become flaccid leading to stomatal closure. Stomata normally
open when the light strikes the leaf and close during the night.
2. Lenticels in Stem- is a porous tissue consisting of cells with large intercellular

spaces in the periderm of the secondarily thickened organs and the bark of
woody stems and roots of dicotyledonous flowering plants. It functions as a
pore, providing a pathway for the direct exchange of gases between the internal
tissues and atmosphere through the bark, which is otherwise impermeable to
gases.
3. Root Hairs in Aerial Roots- are a very simple structure and can occur on the
root tip in the thousands! They are basically an extension of the root's external
cells. They are very short-lived and are constantly being replaced.
4. Pneumatophores or Lateral Roots of Mangroves- are specialized root

structures that grow out from the water surface and facilitate the aeration
necessary for root respiration in hydrophytic trees such as many mangrove
species (e.g., Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia raecemosa), bald
cypresses, and cotton (tupelo) gum (Nyssa aquatica). Red mangroves
(Rhizophora mangle) have stilt roots that function in both support and aeration.
Respiratory Surfaces in INVERTEBRATES
1. Cell surface or cell membrane – used in unicellular organisms

2. Integumentary exchange – refers to the general body surface or skin used
by animals with high surface-to-volume ratio. (earthworm)
3. EXTERNAL GILLS- a gill that projects from the surface of the body and is
not enclosed by the body wall and that is characteristic of certain larval
fishes and amphibians.
4. Tracheal System – (arthropods) utilizes fine air-conducting tubules to
provide gaseous exchange at the cellular level; it is not dependent on a
circulatory system e.g. insects, spiders
Comparison between the Breathing Mechanisms in Vertebrates
1. External Gills – thin, vascularized epidermis that project from the body
surface of a few amphibians; e.g. larval salamander
2. Internal Gills - rows of slits or pockets in adult fishes positioned at the back of
the mouth such that water that enters the mouth can flow over them as it exits
just behind the head.
3. Lungs- internal respiratory surfaces shaped as a cavity or sac; lung provide a

membrane for gaseous exchange since they are not in direct contact with all
other parts of the body, lungs require a circulatory.
HUMAN RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
1.The human respiratory system is a series of organs responsible for taking in
oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The primary organs of the respiratory
system are the lungs (Links to an external site.), which carry out this exchange
of gases as we breathe.
There are many components to the respiratory system. They include:
10 Surprising Facts About the Respiratory System
1. You lose a lot of water just by breathing.
2. Some people can hold their breath for more than 20 minutes.
3. The lungs are the only organs that can float on water.
4. Sneeze particles may not travel as fast as people think.
5. The common cold can be caused by hundreds of different viruses.
6. The lungs and windpipe were important symbols in ancient Egypt.
7. Elephants have a unique respiratory structure.
8. Chest movement during breathing isn't the result of air movement.
9. Asthma was once treated with psychotherapy.
10. Horses only breathe through their noses.
Human Respiratory System
1. Nasal cavity
In human beings air containing oxygen enter the body through nose. There
are present two holes in our nose called nostrils. The nostrils opens behind in
the nasal cavity. The nasal cavity lies above the buccal cavity. The function of
nasal cavity is to moisten, warm and trap dust particles present in the air
coming in it through nostrils. The nasal cavity opens behind in the pharynx.
2.Pharynx- is a common passage for both the respiratory and digestive system.
It leads into the larynx (voice box).
3.Larynx- It is also known as voice box. It lies at the top of trachea. The pharynx
opens into the larynx through a slit like opening called glottis. The glottis is
protected by a leaf shaped flap of cartilage called epiglottis. Epiglottis covers the
mouth of glottis when we swallow food, so that food may not enter the trachea.
4. Trachea-It is also known as wind pipe. It is 10-12 cm. long tube with a
diameter of 2-3 cm. trachea is supported by 15-20 cartilaginous rings. These
rings prevent trachea from collapsing when no air is present in it and also
provides flexibility and strength.
At its lower end the trachea divides into two smaller tubes called bronchi
(singular bronchus)which enters the right and left lungs. The walls of bronchi
are also supported by cartilaginous rings. In the lungs, each bronchus further
divides into still smaller tubes called bronchioles. At the ends of each bronchiole
there is present a cluster of tiny and thin walled sacs called alveoli. Each alveoli
is surrounded by a network of very fine blood capillaries.
• Lungs- In humans, a pair of lungs is present in the thoracic cavity, one on each
side of the heart. These are called right lung and left lung respectively. The
right lung is larger than the left lung. The right lung has three lobes and two
fissures. While, the left lung has two lobes and only one fissure. Both the lungs
are covered by two membranes called pleura. The fluid present in between
these two membranes is called pleural fluid. It protects the lungs from
mechanical injuries.

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GAS CHANGE

• It is often called as respiratory exchange

• Carbon dioxide must released to prevent physiological pH in tissues from

1.Gaseous exchange- Stomatal opening and closure help in the gaseous

2. Lenticels in Stem- is a porous tissue consisting of cells with large intercellular

4. Pneumatophores or Lateral Roots of Mangroves- are specialized root

1. Cell surface or cell membrane – used in unicellular organisms

3. Lungs- internal respiratory surfaces shaped as a cavity or sac; lung provide a

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