Chapter 10: Respiration

Students should be able to:

(a) Identify on diagrams and name the larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles,
alveoli and associated capillaries

(b) State the characteristics of, and describe the role of, the exchange
surface of the alveoli in gaseous exchange

(c) Describe the removal of carbon dioxide from the lungs, including the role
of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme

(d) Describe the role of cilia, diaphragm, ribs and intercostal muscles in
breathing

(e) Describe the effect of tobacco smoke and its major toxic components -
nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide, on health

(f) Define and state the equation, in words and symbols, for aerobic
respiration in human

(g) Define and state the equation, in words only, for anaerobic respiration in
human

(h) Describe the effect of lactic acid in muscles during exercise

10.1 Aerobic Respiration

10.1.1 Definition
• Breakdown of food substances in the presence of oxygen with the
release of a large amount of energy, with CO2 and water as the
waste product
• Reaction take place in mitochondria, with help of enzymes (Tissue
Respiration)

10.1.2 Equation
• C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
• Glucose + Oxygen  carbon dioxide + water + energy

10.1.3 Uses of energy in the human body

• Processes that require energy
o Production of proteins
o Heartbeat, Muscular contractions
o Active transport
o Regulation of body temperature

1
10.2 Anaerobic Respiration

10.2.1 Definition
• Breakdown of food substances in the absence of oxygen with the
release of a small amount of energy, with CO2 and ethanol as the
waste product
• Less efficient than aerobic respiration due to small energy released
• Certain microorganisms could depend entirely on it  due to low
energy requirement to live

10.2.2 Equation
• C6H12O6  2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + Energy
• Glucose  Ethanol + carbon dioxide + small amount of energy

• Substantial amount of energy is still trapped within the chemical

bonds of ethanol  if ethanol is further broken down, more energy
could be released

10.2.3 Anaerobic respiration in Man

Removed during rest

Some are oxidized  release energy

• Glucose  Lactic acid + small amount of energy

• Occurs when maximum aerobic respiration cannot release energy

fast enough  anaerobic respiration produce extra energy to meet
the demand
• Lactic acid builds up in the muscles  causes fatigue
• Muscles incur an oxygen debt  due to insufficient oxygen during
the course of vigorous contraction
• Lactic acid formation  cause of muscular pain
• Normally goes on for short period of time
• Lactic acid is then removed to the liver during rest period

10.3 Gaseous Exchange in Man

10.3.1 Composition of inspired air (breathed in) and expired air (out)
Inspired air Expired air
O2 21% 16.4%
CO2 0.03% 4%
N2 78% 78%
Water vapour Depends on external conditions Saturated
Temperature Depends on external conditions Body temperature

2
Dust particles Depends on external conditions Very little

10.3.2 Respiratory System in Man

• Specialized Breathing movements  enable rapid exchange of gases

3
10.3.3 Gaseous exchange surface of alveoli (External Respiration)

O2, and CO2 diffuses across capillaries

High O2 Rapid diffusion helped by
Low CO2 1. One cell thick alveolar walls
2. Presence of moisture on the
alveolar wall to enable O2 to
dissolve in it
CO2

O2

1. Hb + O2 HBO8

Blood enters lungs (low O2, high
CO2)
Concentration gradient builds up
from
1. Continuous flow of blood
2. Breathing air in and out of
alveoli
• Water vapour evaporates from
alveolar walls
• Heat escapes into the alveolar
air
2. Reaction is reversible
3. Direction is determined by O2
concentration
• CO2 dissolve in plasma  carried as
hydrogen carbonate (HCO3-) ions to
lungs
• In lungs, HCO3-  CO2
• CO2 diffuses out of capillaries into
alveolar cavity

• Large surface area of alveoli  provide large SA for gaseous

exchange

4
 Air enters from nostrils (lined with mucous membrane)
10.3.4 Breathing mechanisms

Secrete mucus
 traps dust
particles

Sweeps particles up
the bronchi 
trachea  larynx

5
During Inhalation (Inspiration)
• External intercostals muscles contract
• Internal intercostals muscles relax

• Ribs swing upwards and outwards

• Sternum moves up
• Diaphragm contracts and flattens
• Thoracic cavity enlarges
• Air pressure in alveoli cause lungs to
expand
• Expansion of lungs reduce air
pressure in alveoli
• Alveolar air pressure < Atmospheric
air pressure
• Air rushes into lungs until air
pressure in lungs = atmospheric air
• pressure
• Short pause for gaseous exchange

During Exhalation (Expiration)

• External intercostals muscles relax
• Internal intercostals muscles contract
• Ribs swing downwards and inwards
• Sternum moves down
• Diaphragm relax and arches upwards
• Thoracic cavity decreases
• Ribs and sternum press on the lungs
• Air is compressed and forced out

6
10.4 Effect of tobacco smoke on health

Chemicals Properties Effects on body

Nicotine • Addictive drug
• Causes release of hormone
adrenaline
• Makes blood clot easily
Carbon • Haemoglobin + CO 
Monoxide Carboxyhaemoglobin
• Formation of
carboxyhaemoglobin
reduces the efficiency of
oxygen transport of RBC
• Increase rate of fatty
deposits on inner arterial
wall (atherosclerosis)
• Damages lining of blood
vessels
• Increases heartbeat and
blood pressure
• Increased risk of blood clots
in blood vessels
• Can cause death if conc. of
CO > 1%
• Increased risk of
atherosclerosis
• Increased risk of
thrombosis

Tar • Contains carcinogenic • Blockage of alveoli and

chemicals (cancer-causing)
which cause uncontrolled
cell division
• Paralyze the cilia
Irritant • Paralyze cilia lining air
particles passages
reduction in gas exchange
efficiency
• Dust particles trapped in
mucus lining the airways
cannot be removed
• Increased risk of chronic
bronchitis and emphysema

10.4.1 Chronic Bronchitis

• Signs:
o Epithelium lining the airway becomes inflamed
o Excessive mucus is secreted by the epithelium
o Cilia on the epithelium are paralyzed. Mucus and dust cannot be
removed
o Airway become blocked  breathing becomes difficult
o Person has to cough persistently to clear his airway to breathe
 increases chances of lung infections

7
10.4.2 Emphysema
• Signs:
o Persistent coughing  cause walls between alveoli to break
down
o SA: Vol ratio decreases
o Lungs become inflated with air
o Lungs lose their elasticity
o Breathing becomes difficult  person wheezes and suffer from
breathlessness

10.4.3 Lung Cancer

• Risk of getting lung cancer increases the more a person smokes
o Tar causes cells to divide uncontrollably
o Uncontrolled cell division leads to lumps of tissues being formed
• Risks of getting other cancers are also greatly increased