CHAPTER 3 BREATHING AND GAS EXCHANGE

2.46: Describe the structure of the Thorax, including the Ribs, Intercostal Muscles,
Diaphragm, Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchioles, Alveoli and Pleural Membrane

THORAX: Part of the body between the Neck

and Abdomen

STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION
RIBS Boney cage that protects internal organs such as the lungs
INTERCOSTAL Muscles between the ribs to control it during ventilation
MUSCLE
DIAPHRAGM Sheet of muscle at the bottom of the thorax
TRACHEA Air pipe that connects the mouth and nose to the lungs
BRONCHI The trachea divides into two bronchi, with one bronchus for each lung
BRONCHIOLES Bronchi will split to form smaller tubes called bronchioles. These connect to alveoli
ALVEOLI Tiny air sacs where gas exchange takes place.
PLEURAL Separates the inside of the thorax from the lungs. Creates a continuous layer that
MEMBRANES forms an airtight seal. Made of two thin layers filled with pleural fluid, which
lubricates of the lungs so they don’t stick to the inside of the chest wall as we
breathe

2.47: Understand the Role of the Intercostal Muscles and the Diaphragm in Ventilation
INHALATION EXHALATION

Organs Organs
during during
Inhalation Exhalation

 Intercostal muscles will contract, pulling ribcage
up and out
 Diaphragm will contract, pulling downwards
 Volume increases, pressure decreases
 Air is drawn in
 Intercostal muscles will relax, pushing ribcage
down and in
 Diaphragm will relax, pushing upwards
 Volume decreases, pressure increases
 Air is pushed out
2.48: Explain How Alveoli are Adapted for Gas Exchange by Diffusion Between Air in the
Lungs and Blood in Capillaries

ALVEOLI: Tiny air sacs where gas exchange

takes place

Oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is

removed. Both gases move by diffusion, so
the alveoli are adapted to make diffusion as
quick and efficient as possible

FEAT ADAPTATION
URE
FOLD Increases the surface area to
ED volume ratio for the diffusion of
gases
THIN One cell thick so the distance of
CELL diffusion is short, increasing the
WALL rate of diffusion of gases
S
GOOD Each alveolus is surrounded by
BLOO blood capillaries with blood that
D is constantly flowing to maintain
SUPPL a large concentration gradient
Y between the air inhaled in and
the blood in the capillaries
EACH Moving air in and out of the
ALVE alveoli regularly replenishes the
OLUS supply of oxygen and removes
IS the air with higher carbon
VENTI dioxide concentration. This helps
LATE to maintain a large
D concentration gradient between
the air and the blood

2.49: Understand the biological consequences of Smoking in Relation to the Lungs and the
Circulatory System, Including Coronary Heart Disease

Cigarette smoke contains tar, nicotine, carcinogens, CO and poisons

Chemical Effect
Tar Blocks up alveoli, making gas exchange more difficult. Reduces the surface area
available
Also clogs up cilia (little hairs lining the lungs, whose job is to “wave” and remove
 mucus and trapped bacteria out of the lungs).
Nicotine Speeds heart rate and damages arteries, causing furring of artery walls
(atherosclerosis). This leads to heart disease and vascular diseases. It is also
addictive.
Carcinogens Damages the DNA of alveoli cells. This can lead to them reproducing faster than
normal, which will cause a tumour to form. The tumour is the start of cancer.
Carbon Monoxide Attaches permanently to haemoglobin, reducing the ability of the blood to carry O2

Poisons The list is endless. There are over 5000 poisonous chemicals in cigarette smoke
(e.g. benzene, arsenic, lead, cyanide etc)

2.50: Describe experiments to Investigate the Effect of Exercise on Breathing in Humans

You need to know an experiment that will show the effect of exercise on humans. The easiest experiment
is to take your own heart rate, breathing rate and skin temperature at rest. Do some exercise, then take
the same measurements again. You’ll find they’ve all increased. The reason for this is that your rate of
respiration has increased (to supply the muscles with extra energy for contraction). In order to get
respiration to happen faster, you need more O2, so the breathing and heart rate increase. Unfortunately,
you also release more waste heat energy, so your body heats up and you might have to start sweating to
cool it down again.