Chapter 2

Anatomy and The respiratory

Physiology system

2.1 The pathway of air and gaseous exchange

Learning objectives
1) Identify the different components of the respiratory
system
2) Describe the pathway of air into the body
3) Understand the role of alveoli during gaseous exchange

Watch the full lesson: https://youtu.be/GQUHqmCz4jE

What you need to know
The respiratory system
Respiratory system – the series of organs
responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon
dioxide
This is achieved by bringing air in
contact with the blood, so that
gaseous exchange can
occur
Discuss
Why do you think the respiratory system
is so important?
Why do we need to take oxygen into the
bloodstream and expel carbon dioxide?
The pathway of air
When we inhale (breathe in), we
take air into our lungs. This air
includes oxygen, which is taken
up by the blood and transported
to the working muscles to
produce energy

How does the oxygen

get there?
Oxygen passes through several
structures on its way to the
blood-stream
You need to know these
structures in order
The pathway of air
The structures you need to know -
Mouth/nasal passage
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli

When air reaches the alveoli,

gaseous exchange occurs via
diffusion

Gaseous exchange – the

process in the lungs by which oxygen
diffuses into the bloodstream and
carbon dioxide is removed from it
1) Air (containing oxygen),
enters the system through the
nasal passage and mouth.

2) It travels down the trachea

(windpipe),

4) It then moves into smaller

airways called bronchioles,
5) before finally reaching the
alveoli (millions of air sacs, where
gaseous exchange occurs)
3) before branching off into the
left and right bronchi.
Alveoli – small
air sacs in the
lungs where
gaseous exchange
takes place

The alveoli are specially designed for maximum gaseous exchange

Alveoli – how are they designed
for maximum gaseous exchange?
1. Vast surface area
Alveoli have a specialised shape
There are also millions of them, maximising
contact between gasses and the blood

2. Alveolar walls are one cell thick

Meaning the diffusion distance is short and
gasses can pass through easily

3. A moist lining
Helps gasses to diffuse more freely
Alveoli – how are they designed
for maximum gaseous exchange?
1. A big network of capillaries
Each alveolus is surrounded by a network of
capillaries, ensuring a good blood supply
This means that gases can diffuse to and
from the blood with ease

2. Capillary lining is one cell thick

Meaning the diffusion distance is short and
gasses can pass through easily

3. Alveoli are well ventilated

Meaning air can reach them easily
Summary quiz
1) Name the structures that oxygen passes through on the
way to the alveoli in order (5 marks)

2) Name the six features that make the alveoli suitable for
gaseous exchange (6 marks)

3) Describe why each of these features is beneficial for

gaseous exchange (6 marks)
 Chapter 2
Anatomy and The respiratory
Physiology system

2.2 The mechanics of breathing

Learning objectives
1) Identify the location of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles
2) Understand the role of these muscles during normal breathing
3) Describe the mechanics of breathing

Watch the full lesson: https://youtu.be/RvKgE69dQK8

What you need to know
The mechanics of breathing
We now know the pathway of air, but how does the air move
into the alveoli for gaseous exchange to occur?
Spend 30 seconds to discuss
The process of breathing (pulmonary ventilation) is controlled by muscles
These muscles contract or relax forcing air to move into or out of the lungs
The mechanics of breathing
Muscles

Intercostal muscles
The muscles between the ribs
that raise and lower the ribs

Diaphragm
A muscular ‘sheet’ at the base
of the chest cavity
The diaphragm moves up and
down, changing the volume of
the the chest cavity
Inhalation (breathing in)
Diaphragm – contracts
The effect and flattens
of training
(moves
-Over down) period of time,
a sustained
exercise / training
Intercostal can increase
muscles the
– contract,
strength
causingofthethe ribs
diaphragm
to move and
up and out
intercostal muscles
Lungs
-This – thethem
enables volume insidefurther,
to expand the lungs
increasesthe volume of the lungs,
-increasing
Air pressure
allowing - insidetothe
more oxygen lungs
enter
decreases
-This enables (relative
athletes to tocompete
atmospheric
at
higher intensities for longer
air pressure)
Effect – air containing oxygen
moves into the lungs

Can you remember the

pathway of oxygen?
Exhalation (breathing out)
Diaphragm – relaxes and moves
upwards
Intercostal muscles – relax,
causing the ribs to move
downwards and inwards
Lungs – the volume inside the
lungs decreases
Air pressure - inside the lungs
increases (relative to
atmospheric air pressure)
Effect – air containing carbon
dioxide is forced out of the lungs
 Copy and complete the table

The mechanics of breathing

Inhalation Exhalation
-Intercostal muscles relax -Ribs
move inward and downward
Ribcage

Diaphragm

-Increases
Lung volume

Lung
pressure

Effect
 Chapter 2
Anatomy and The respiratory
Physiology system

2.3 Breathing volumes and minute ventilation

Learning objectives
1) Explain the terms ‘tidal volume’, ‘vital capacity’, ‘residual
volume’,
‘minute ventilation’
2) Understand the role of each during the mechanics of breathing
3) Describe how exercise effects these volumes

Watch the full lesson: https://youtu.be/nd5Z_ZD_cp8

What you need to know
Breathing volumes and minute
ventilation
The volume of air we are able to inhale and exhale is an
important factor for athletic performance, as it affects how much
oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream and transported to the
working muscles
There are a number of measurements that can be taken to
assess how well the respiratory system is functioning

The terms you need to know:

Tidal volume
Minute ventilation
Vital capacity
Residual volume
Breathing volumes and minute
ventilation
Tidal volume
“The volume of air inhaled during normal breathing”
Tidal volume increases during exercise

Minute ventilation
“The volume of air that you breathe per minute”
Minute ventilation can be calculated by multiplying the
tidal volume by the number of breaths taken in one minute
It is expressed in litres per minute (l/min)

Tidal volume (ml) x breaths per minute =

Minute ventilation (l/min)
Breathing volumes and minute
ventilation
Vital capacity
“The maximum volume of air you can breathe out”
after breathing in as much as you can
This can be up to ten times as much as you would normally
exhale

Residual volume
“The volume of air left in your lungs after breathing out”
There is always some air left in the lungs to prevent them
collapsing
Breathe out fully. The air that remains is the residual
volume
 Always remember to

Minute ventilation
include units when
making calculations

- The table compares an athlete exercising at different intensities

- Complete the table using the equation below

Exercise intensity Tidal volume (ml) Number of Minute ventilation

breaths per (l/min)
minute

Sub-maximal 500 (0.5l) 8

Maximal 2,500 (2.5l) 35

Tidal volume (ml) x breaths per minute =

Minute ventilation (l/min)
What impact do you think exercise has on these volumes and why is it
beneficial?
 Copy and complete
Exercise effects the table

What impact do you think exercise has on these volumes and

why is it beneficial?

Tidal volume Minute ventilation Vital Residual

capacity volume
Exercise Increases Increases (due to increased No change No change
effect tidal volume and number
of breaths taken per
minute)
Benefits -More oxygen is
taken into the
lungs -
Increased rate
of gaseous
exchange -
More oxygen
transported in
the blood -More
oxygen
delivered to the
working