Lesson 6 – Intro to Respiratory System: Why do we need it?

We Breath A Lot!

We take about 12-15 breaths per minute

How many breaths per day? How many breaths per lifetime?

You take between 500 million to 750 million breaths per lifetime

Air

We breath in a mixture of gases: 78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen 1% Argon 0.04% Carbon Dioxide Other trace amounts of gases

But it’s the OXYGEN that our cells need!

Why do cells need oxygen?

Think about why cells need oxygen and discuss with you peers

Why do cells need oxygen?

Cells use oxygen to obtain energy from food through a process called aerobic cellular respiration. Energy is released in a cell when glucose (sugar molecule) reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.

Aerobic Cellular Respiration

Aerobic Cellular Respiration: series of chemical reactions that occur in the cell that provide energy and consume oxygen.

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide +water + energy

Energy Distribution

64% is released as thermal energy or energy that helps animals maintain a constant body temperature.

34% of the energy is stored in molecules called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

ATP as stored energy

Cells use ATP to power almost all of their energy requiring processes: Growth Movement Building new molecules

1 glucose yields, 36 molecules of ATP

ATP is formed when energy from the breakdown of glucose is used to add a phosphate group to the ADP (adenosine diphosphate) molecule in a process called phosphorylation.

Expanded Formula of Aerobic Cellular Respiration

How Simple Organisms Obtain Oxgyen

In ‘simple’ organisms like jellyfish and sponges, oxygen from the environment diffuses directly into the cells through the cell membrane and carbon dioxide diffuses out into the environment

How do cells get the oxygen ?

Gas Exchange: the processes whereby the body cells obtain oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. (aka: diffusion of gases)

Ventilation: the process in more complex organisms that ensures a flow of oxygen-rich air to the lungs. (aka: breathing)

Gas Exchange

In humans, fish and other large multi-cellular organisms, gas exchange occurs in two locations Lungs Body cells

Requirement for Human Respiratory System:

The human respiratory system has four important structural features that enable it to function properly:

A thin permeable respiratory membrane through which diffusion can occur

A large surface area for gas exchange A good supply of blood A breathing system for bringing oxygen-

rich air to the respiratory membrane

Homework:

Mucus

The oil in the machine of our body We make about 1 – 1.5 litres per day When sick, consistency changes (or

from dehydration) Allergies (and some infections) cause

leakage of mucus producing cells Green colour can be from

Neutrophils

Gas Exchange in the Alveoli

High Surface area Air is 37oC and moist Membrane is one cell thick Passive Transport.

The Mechanism of Ventilation:

Breathing is based on negative pressure

The Mechanism of Ventilation:

Breathing is based on negative pressure

Pleural Membranes

Pneumothorax

Lung Capacity:

Lung CapacityTOTAL LUNG CAPCITY:The maximum volume of air that can be inhaled during a single breath.

TIDAL VOLUME:The volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal, involuntary breath. It's about 0.5L in the average adult or 10% of the total lung capacity.

INSPIRATORY RESERVE VOLUME:The amount of additional air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation.

EXPIRATORY RESERVE VOLUME:The volume of additional air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation.

RESIDUAL VOLUME:The volume of air that remains in the lungs after a forced exhalation. The residual volume of air prevents the lungs from collapsing.

VITAL CAPACITY:The maximum amount of air that can be inhaled or exhaled. During periods of high demand for oxygen the reserve volumes decrease and tidal volume increases. The maximum tidal volume is the vital capacity. Vital capacity is about 4.4L to 4.8L in males and 3.4L to 3.8L in females.

Oxygen Usage:

Physical activity depends on the energy released during aerobic cellular respiration which depends on the rate of oxygen delivary

a high maximum rate of oxygen usage indicates an efficient respiratory system.

The rate of oxygen usage can be calculated using a spirometer.

VO2: It is an estimated or measured value representing the rate at which oxygen is used in the body. It is measured in millilitres per kilogram per minute (mL/kg/min)

VO2max: The maximum rate at which oxygen can be used in an individual. It is the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can use during sustained, intense physical activity. It is also measured in mL/kg/min.

Performance Enhancement

EPO -- a hormone naturally produced by human kidneys to stimulate red blood cell production