Human Gas Exchange

Human Gas
Exchange
By: Amna Iftikhar
Features of Gas Exchange Surfaces
 The surfaces where gas exchange occurs in an organism are very
different and different organisms have evolved different mechanisms
for getting the gases to the gas exchange surface depending on size,
where they live etc.
 All gas exchange surfaces have features in common
 These features allow the maximum amount of gases to be exchanged
across the surface in the smallest amount of time
 They include:
 Large surface area to allow faster diffusion of gases across the surface
 Thin walls to ensure diffusion distances remain short
 Good ventilation with air so that diffusion gradients can be maintained
 Good blood supply to maintain a high concentration gradient so
diffusion occurs faster
The alveolus is the gas
exchange surface in
humans
Exam Tip
 You may notice that several of the features of alveoli that
make them suited to their function are the same as those
that make villi suited to their function; or root hair cells
suited to their function – the reason for this is because all
of these structures are involved in transporting
substances across their surfaces – by diffusion, active
transport, osmosis or a combination.
 So if you learn the features for one, you also know many
of the features of the others!
Structure of the Breathing System
The Intercostal Muscles
 Muscles are only able to
pull on bones, not push on
them
 This means that there must
be two sets of intercostal
muscles; one to pull the rib
cage up and another set to
pull it down
 One set of intercostal
muscles is found on the
outside of the ribcage
(the external intercostal
muscles)
 The other set is found on
the inside of the rib cage There are 2 sets of intercostal muscles: the external, on the outside
(the internal intercostal of the rib cage, and the internal, on the inside of the rib cage
muscles)
The Trachea
 Rings of cartilage surround the trachea (and
bronchi)
 The function of the cartilage is to support the
airways and keep them open during breathing
 If they were not present then the sides could
collapse inwards when the air pressure inside the
tubes drops
Past paper Q’s
The Function of Cilia & Mucus
 The passages down to the lungs are lined with ciliated
epithelial cells
 Cilia comes from the Latin for eyelash, so unsurprisingly
these cells have tiny hairs on the end of them
that beat and push mucus up the passages towards the
nose and throat where it can be removed
 The mucus is made by special mucus-producing cells
called goblet cells because they are shaped like a goblet,
or cup
 The mucus traps particles, pathogens like bacteria or
viruses, and dust and prevents them getting into the
lungs and damaging the cells there
Mucus traps particles, dust and pathogens and cilia beat and
push it up and away from the lungs
Exam Tip
 The function of cilia and mucus is often a 3-mark question on
the extended paper.
 The examiners are looking for you to state the following:
1. The mucus is produced by goblet cells and traps bacteria,

dust, particles
2. The cilia beat
3. And push the mucus away from the lungs towards the
throat
 This is quite simple, but often marks are lost as students
haven’t been precise enough with their explanations
Ventilation of the lungs
Inhalation & Exhalation
 The diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscle that separates the
chest cavity from the abdomen; it is ultimately responsible
for controlling ventilation in the lungs
 When the diaphragm contracts it flattens and this increases the
volume of the chest cavity (thorax), which consequently leads to
a decrease in air pressure inside the lungs relative to outside the
body, drawing air in.
 When the diaphragm relaxes it moves upwards back into its
domed shape and this decreases the volume of the chest cavity
(thorax), which consequently leads to an increase in air
pressure inside the lungs relative to outside the body, forcing air
out
 The external and internal intercostal muscles work as antagonistic pairs
(meaning they work in different directions to each other)
 During inhalation the external set of intercostal muscles contract to
pull the ribs up and out:
- This also increases the volume of the chest cavity (thorax), decreasing air
pressure, drawing air in
 During exhalation, the external set of intercostal muscles relax so the
ribs drop down and in:
- This decreases the volume of the chest cavity (thorax) increasing air
pressure, forcing air out
 When we need to increase the rate of gas exchange (for example during
strenuous activity) the internal intercostal muscles will also work to pull
the ribs down and in to decrease the volume of the thorax more,
forcing air out more forcefully and quickly – this is called forced
exhalation
 There is actually a greater need to rid the body of increased levels of carbon
dioxide produced during strenuous activity!
 This allows a greater volume of gases to be exchanged
Exam Tip
 You may see the terms inhalation OR inspiration (breathing in),
and exhalation OR expiration (breathing out). Both sets of
terms mean exactly the same thing, so don’t let them confuse
you!
 This sequence of events is a common exam question and you
should be able to explain in detail what is happening to the
external and internal intercostal muscles, the rib cage, the
diaphragm, the volume and the pressure-volume of the lungs
when breathing in and out.
 Remember, if you learn one, the other is almost exactly the
opposite.
Past paper Q’s (P2)
Q9/21/M/J/12
 Outline the sequence of events that take place in
the body when a person breathes out. [5 marks]
Mark scheme
Differences between Inhaled &
Exhaled Air
 Air that is breathed in and air that is breathed out has different
amounts of gases in it due to exchanges that take place in
the alveoli
 Atmospheric air contains around 20 – 21% oxygen, of which we
only absorb around 4 – 5%, breathing out air containing
around 16% oxygen
 Normal carbon dioxide content of air is around 0.04% and, as
carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli from the blood, we
breathe out air containing around 4% carbon dioxide
 The air we breathe out contains more water vapour than when
we breathe it in, and the temperature of exhaled air is
higher than inhaled air
Composition of air
Reasons for Differences in Inhaled & Exhaled Air
Using Limewater to Test for CO2 in Exhaled Air
 When we breathe in, the air is drawn through boiling tube A
 When we breathe out, the air is blown into boiling tube B
 Lime water is clear but becomes cloudy (or milky) when carbon dioxide is bubbled through it
 The lime water in boiling tube A will remain clear, but the limewater in boiling tube B will
become cloudy
 This shows us that the percentage of carbon dioxide in exhaled air is higher than in inhaled
air
Effect of Exercise on Breathing
Investigating the Effect of Exercise on Breathing
 Exercise increases the frequency and depth of breathing
 This can be investigated by counting the breaths taken during
one minute at rest and measuring average chest expansion
over 5 breaths using a tape measure held around the chest
 Exercise for a set time (at least 3 minutes)
 Immediately after exercising, count the breaths taken in one
minute and measure the average chest expansion over 5
breaths
 Following exercise, the number of breaths per minute will have
increased and the chest expansion will also have increased
Explaining the Effect of Exercise on
Breathing
 Frequency and depth of breathing increase when exercising
 This is because muscles are working harder and aerobically respiring
more and they need more oxygen to be delivered to them (and
carbon dioxide removed) to keep up with the energy demand
 If they cannot meet the energy demand they will also respire
anaerobically, producing lactic acid
 After exercise has finished, the lactic acid that has built up in muscles
needs to be removed as it lowers the pH of cells and can denature
enzymes catalysing cell reactions
 It can only be removed by combining it with oxygen – this is known
as ‘repaying the oxygen debt’
 This can be tested by seeing how long it takes after exercise for the
breathing rate and depth to return to normal – the longer it takes, the
more lactic acid produced during exercise and the greater the
oxygen debt that needs to be repaid
Carbon Dioxide Concentration & the Brain
 As respiration rates increase, more carbon dioxide is

produced and enters the blood
 Carbon dioxide is an acidic gas in solution and so it can affect
the working of enzymes in the cells and needs to be removed
as quickly as possible
 As blood flows through the brain, the increase in carbon
dioxide concentration stimulates receptor cells
 These send impulses to the muscles of the lungs, causing them
to contract faster and more strongly
 This causes the frequency and depth of breathing to
increase until the carbon dioxide concentration of the blood
has lowered sufficiently

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Human Gas

1. The mucus is produced by goblet cells and traps bacteria,

 As respiration rates increase, more carbon dioxide is

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