BIOS 4M2.7 GASEOUS EXCHANGE AND RESPIRATION

           GASEOUS EXCHANGE AND RESPIRATION

Gaseous exchange

Gaseous exchange is the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide across a respiratory surface. Unicellular organisms carry out gaseous exchange by diffusion across the cell membrane.

Large organisms cannot carry out diffusion efficiently so they have developed specialized organs for gaseous exchange. These are called respiratory surfaces.

Table below shows examples of respiratory surfaces in various organisms.

Characteristics of respiratory surfaces

1. They are thin to reduce the diffusion distance.

1. They are thin to reduce the diffusion distance.

2. They are moist to dissolve gases so that they diffuse in solution form.

3. They are highly branched, folded or flattened in order to increase the surface area for gaseous exchange,

4. They are close to an efficient transport and exchange system so that gases can be taken to and from the cells easily.

5. They are well ventilated so that gases can pass through them easily

GASEOUS EXCHANGE IN MAMMALS

The components of the gaseous exchange system in mammals include the nostril, trachea, lungs, intercostals muscles, diaphragm and ribs.

The adaptations and functions of parts of the mammalian respiratory system

The mechanism of gaseous exchange in mammals

Gaseous exchange in mammals happens as a result of inhalation (or inspiration) and exhalation (or expiration). Inhalation is breathing in air into the lungs. Exhalation is breathing out air from the lungs

During inhalation the muscles of the diaphragm Contract, pulling the diaphragm downwards; As this happens, the external intercostal muscles contract and pull the ribcage upwards and outwards. The result of these movements is an increase in the volume and a decrease in the air pressure of the thorax. This makes air rush into the lungs through the nostrils, trachea and bronchioles. outwards. The result of these movements is an increase in the volume and a decrease in the air pressure of the thorax. This makes air rush into the lungs through the nostrils, trachea and a bronchioles.

During exhalation, the muscles of the diaphragm relax and the diaphragm resumes its dome shape. The external intercostal muscles relax, pulling the ribcage inwards and downwards. As a result, the volume of the thorax decreases and the pressure inside it increases. This forces air out through the bronchioles, trachea and nostrils.

Gaseous exchange across the alveolus

The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place in the alveoli. One mammalian lung has millions of alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by network of capillaries.

When we breathe in, air accumulates in the alveoli. There is a higher concentration of oxygen in the air in the alveoli than in the bloodstream.

Therefore, oxygen diffuses out the alveoli into the blood in the capillaries. It combines with haemoglobin to form oxyhaemoglobin

The oxygen is then transported to the tissues. Once in the tissues, the oxyhaemoglobin breaks down to release oxygen and haemoglobin. The tissues use released oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

This causes the levels of carbon dioxide to become higher in the tissues than in the blood. Carbon dioxide therefore diffuses into the blood in the capillaries and combines with haemoglobin to form carbaminohaemoglobin. The capillaries transport carbon dioxide in this form to the alveoli.

The concentration of carbon dioxide is higher in lie blood in the capillaries than in the air in the alveoli. Carbon dioxide therefore diffuses from the Capillaries into the alveoli. It is then transported through the bronchioles, trachea, glottis, pharynx and finally nostrils into the atmosphere.

Composition of inspired and expired air

Factors affecting the rate of gaseous exchange

1. Concentration of carbon dioxide

High concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood increases the rate of gaseous exchange. This provides the tissues with adequate amounts of oxygen and lower carbon dioxide concentration in the blood.

2 Concentration of haemoglobin

Haemoglobin is responsible for the transportation of gases from the lungs to the tissues and back. Efficient transportation of gases takes place when the body has adequate amounts of haemoglobin.

When a person is anaemic, the body has a low concentration of haemoglobin. Only small amounts of oxygen can be transported at a time. As a result, the rate of gaseous exchange has to increase so that the tissues get adequate amounts of oxygen.

3. Physical activity

A more active body requires more oxygen than a less active body. As a result, gaseous exchange takes place faster when there is increased body activity.

4. Health status of the body

Generally, the rate of gaseous exchange increases when somebody is sick. This is as a result of increased metabolism by the liver in order to remove the toxins released by diseasecausing microorganisms or break down the drugs taken. Certain diseases also make the body weak and cause slowing down of the breathing process.

5. Altitude

Altitude is the height above sea level. At high altitudes, the concentration of oxygen is lower compared to low altitudes. Breathing is therefore faster at high altitudes. At high altitudes, there is also decreased atmospheric pressure. This makes breathing difficult. Organisms therefore have to breathe in faster in order to get enough oxygen.

6. Age

Young people are generally more active than old people. Also, a lot of growth processes take place in the bodies of young people. This increases the demand for oxygen and therefore increases the breathing rate.

Gaseous exchange in plants

In plants, gaseous exchange mostly takes place through the stomata on the leaves and lenticels on the stem. Some plants such as mangrove and ficus also carry out gaseous exchange through breathing roots.

Gaseous exchange in the leaves

Atmospheric air moves into and out of the leaf through the stomata. Gaseous exchange mostly takes place in the air spaces in the spongy mesophyll.

During the day, guard cells that surround the stomata absorb water by osmosis. As a result, the cell sap of guard cells becomes hypertonic and draws in water from the neighbouring cells by osmosis.

The guard cells become turgid and the stomata open. Air from the atmosphere enters into the air spaces in the spongy mesophyll. The cells next to the air spaces have more oxygen (produced by the cells during photosynthesis) but less carbon dioxide (used up during photosynthesis).

On the other hand, carbon dioxide is more in the air within the air spaces but oxygen is less. Carbondioxide and oxygen diffuse in opposite directions depending on their concentration gradients. The carbon dioxide diffuses to neighbouring cells until it reaches the site for photosynthesis. Oxygen moves out through the open stomata into the atmosphere.

At night, there is no light, therefore photosynthesis ceases. No glucose is produced therefore the guard cells do not absorb water by osmosis. Hence, the stomata remain partially closed.

However, respiration takes place in plants at night. The partially open stomata allow in small amount of air which accumulate in the air spaces. There is more oxygen and less carbon dioxide in the air spaces compared to the plant cells.

Oxygen moves into the plant cells while carbon dioxide moves into the air spaces and eventually into the atmosphere through the partially open stomata. This explains why plants produce carbon dioxide at night and oxygen during the day.

Gaseous exchange through the lenticels

Lenticels made up of loosely packed cork cells located on the bark of woody stems and roots. They are small pores through which gaseous exchange occurs.

The loose arrangement of the cells facilitates the movement of gases between them. The cells have a thin layer of moisture so that gases diffuse in and out while in solution form

At night, there is a higher concentration of oxygen in the air spaces between the cork cells than in the ells themselves. Oxygen therefore diffuses into the cells surrounding the lenticels. The cells use oxygen far respiration and release carbon dioxide in the process. Thus, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the cells becomes higher than in the air spaces. Carbon dioxide therefore diffuses out through the cells into the air spaces and then out through the lenticel. The opposite happens during the day.

Gaseous exchange through the roots

This occurs through breathing roots. Plants with breathing roots have a very thin epidermal layer which enables the root to carry out gaseous exchange.

Oxygen is at a higher concentration in the atmosphere than in the root cells. Therefore, oxygen diffuses into the root cells through the epidermis.

During respiration, the plant uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. This causes the concentration of carbon dioxide in the root cells to be higher than in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide diffuses from the root cells into the atmosphere through the epidermis.

Importance of gaseous exchange in plants

     i.        It Enables plants to obtain carbon dioxide, which is one of the raw materials necessary for photosynthesis.

    ii.        Plants obtain oxygen which is necessary for the production of energy. Energy is produced during respiration.

   iii.        It enables the plant to eliminate excess carbon dioxide at night of which if left, will harm the plant.

Respiration

Respiration is the process by which food substances are broken down to provide energy. It is controlled by enzymes. Enzymes are substances that affect the rate at which a reaction occurs but are not used up in the reaction themselves. Respiration takes place in the mitochondria of the plant cells.

There are two types of respiration:

                                     i.        aerobic respiration

                                    ii.        anaerobic respiration.

Aerobic respiration

This is a type of respiration whereby oxygen is used to break down glucose, releasing energy, carbon dioxide and water. The chemical reaction for aerobic respiration is:

C₆H₁₂0₆ +60₂—----------- 6CO₂ + 6H0+ Energy

Glucose ₊oxygen            carbon dioxide water

The energy produced is in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Thirty-eight molecules of ATP are produced at the end of the aerobic respiration.

Aerobic respiration takes place in two stages: glycolysis and Kreb's cycle.

Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm. It does not require oxygen so it is a phase that is common for both aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

During glycolysis, enzymes break down glucose into a three carbon compound called pyruvic acid. Glycolysis produces 2 molecules of ATP per molecule of glucose.

The pyruvic acid can further be broken down in the presence or absence of oxygen. If there is oxygen, the pyruvic acid proceeds to the next stage of aerobic respiration, which is Kreb's cycle. If there is no oxygen, anaerobic respiration occurs.

Note that pyruvic acid passes through a stage where it is decarboxylated (one carbon dioxide molecule removed from it) before going through the Kreb's cycle.

Kreb's cycle is also called the citric acid cycle. It involves the formation of citric acid molecule (a six carbon) from the two carbon molecule by addition of a four carbon molecule, i.e. oxaloacetic acid in a cyclic process.

Kreb's cycle takes place inside the cristae of the mitochondria.

Anaerobic respiration

Anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of [oxygen.

In plants, anaerobic respiration is also called fermentation. It involves the breaking down of glucose by bacteria or fungi to form alcohol, carbon dioxide and energy. This is represented by the following equation:

In animals, anaerobic respiration leads to the formation of lactic acid and energy.

 This is written as

In animals anaerobic respiration takes place during strenuous activity, for example during sports. It leads to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. Lactic acid is toxic.

Anaerobic respiration occurs when the body's oxygen supply does not meet the body's needs. Therefore, an oxygen debt or oxygen deficit occurs. This causes the animal to breathe fast and deeply in order to get enough oxygen to convert the lactic acid to carbon dioxide and water. Some of the lactic acid is converted to glucose. Breathing goes back to normal when the acid has been broken down.

Anaerobes are organisms that respire anaerobically. They include bacteria, yeast and fungi. There are two types of anaerobes:

Obligate anaerobes which can only live and respire in the absence of oxygen. They die in the presence of oxygen.

Facultative anaerobes; which respire both in the presence and in the absence of oxygen.

Differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Factors affecting the rate of respiration

The rate at which respiration takes place varies depending on the state of an organism. Hence, respiration is sometimes fast and at other times slow. The following factors affect the rate of respiration:

Temperature

Respiration is controlled by enzymes. The functioning of enzymes is affected by temperature. The rate of respiration is slow at low temperatures and increases with increase in temperature until the optimal temperature. Optimal temperature is the temperature at which the enzymes function best. If the temperature is raised above optimal temperature, the enzymes are denatured and the rate of respiration reduces.

Activity

When an organism is involved in a vigorous activity, it requires more energy than when it is at rest. For example, a human being requires less energy when sitting than when taking part in arace. Therefore, the rate of respiration changes to suit the needs of the organism's physical activity.

Size

Small organisms lose heat faster than big organisms. This is because small organisms have a larger surface area to volume ratio. Heat is a form of energy. Therefore, small organisms need to respire faster than large organisms to replace the energy lost through heat.

Age

 Generally, young organisms respire faster than older organisms. This is because they need energy to grow. In addition, young organisms are more active than old organisms.

Health

When we are sick, the rate of respiration increases so as to remove the toxic materials produced by the pathogens in our bodies.

Infections and diseases of the respiratory system

There are several airborne infections which affect the human respiratory system. The common ones are influenza, pneumonia, common cold and tuberculosis.

Most of the airborne infections are as a result of close contact with an infected person. When the sick person breathes out, coughs or sneezes, the pathogens are released into the air. Hence, a person who is close by may catch the infection. Sometimes, droplets may infect bedding, clothes and surfaces used by the sick person.

Airborne infections can be controlled by isolation of the infected patient, proper disposal of infected secretions such as sputum, living in a well-ventilated house and avoiding overcrowding, especially in bedrooms.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs. It is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or by inhaling chemical toxins or irritants. Pneumonia is normally followed by other illnesses such as cold or flu.

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia

      i.        Fever

     ii.        Chills

    iii.        Shortness of breath associated with pain

  iv.        Increased mucus production

    v.        Cough

Prevention and treatment of pneumonia

      i.        Staying warm

     ii.        Avoiding overcrowded areas

   iii.        Avoiding cold food or drinks. Hot drinks are preferred more as they loosen secretions

  iv.        Get treatment as early as possible since it is curable by antibiotics

Bronchitis

Bacteria, viruses and inhaling of irritating substances can cause the lining of the respiratory system to become inflamed. This causes an infection called bronchitis. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.

Acute bronchitis

This is caused by whooping cough or recurrent attacks of influenza. Smoking can also cause acute bronchitis.

Signs and symptoms of acute bronchitis

• Pain in the chest

• Rapid breathing

• Fever

• Coughing

• Headaches

Prevention and treatment of acute bronchitis

                     i.        Staying warm. Cold temperatures make the body more susceptible to bacterial infections

                    ii.        Get treatment for all infections as fast as possible

                    iii.        Get treatment for all infections as fast as possible.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is caused by heavy smoking and recurrent acute bronchitis..

Signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis

• Coughing, with the production of thick sputum

• Breathing difficulties

Prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis

• Avoid smoking

• Avoid very smoky or dusty areas

• Live in a well-ventilated house

• Keep your body warm

• Seek medical help

Asthma

Asthma can be caused by:

                                     i.        Allergic reactions to dust, pollen, spores oranimal fur • Hereditary diseases of the respiratory system

                                    ii.        Hereditary diseases of the respiratory system

                                   iii.        Extremely cold weather

                                   iv.        Frequent viral or bacterial lung infections

Signs and symptoms of asthma

                      i.        Narrowing of bronchioles resulting in breathing difficulties and a wheezing or hissing sound when breathing

                    ii.        Excessive production of mucus

                   iii.        Dilation of blood vessels, leading to low bloodpressure. Low blood pressure can be fatal

Prevention and treatment of asthma

                      i.        Avoid allergens (things that cause allergicreactions)

                    ii.        Get treatment for respiratory infections asearly as possible

                   iii.        Keep the body warm

                   iv.        Muscle relaxants in the form of sprays, pills and injections are used to prevent the narrowing of the bronchioles.

Lung cancer

The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. The nicotine in cigarette smoke stops the cilia in the trachea from expelling foreign materials leading to respiratory infection.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer

• Chest pain • Chest pain

• Breathing difficulty

• Weight loss

• Persistent cough

• Abnormal production of mucus

Prevention and treatment of lung cancer

• Stop smoking

• There is no cure for cancer. However, chemotherapy and physiotherapy are used to control the disease

Emphysema

This is a lung disease which results from destruction of the structures supporting the alveoli leading to their collapse. This significantly reduces the surface area available for gaseous exchange.

Causes of emphysema

a.    Mainly cigarette smoke

b.    Air pollution

                                         i.    Hereditary

                                         ii.    Hereditary o Old age

Signs and symptoms of emphysema

• Shortness of breath

• Coughing

• Obstructive lung disease

• Difficulties when breathing, especially duringexercise

• Wheezing during breathing

Prevention and treatment of emphysema

                      i.        Avoid cigarette smoking and exposure to smoke

                    ii.        Lung surgery is usually done to relieve thesymptoms

                   iii.        Use of medical drugs

                  iv.        In severe cases, lung transplant is necessary

Chapter Summary:

                                          i.    Gaseous exchange is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through a respiratory surface.

                                        ii.    thin membrane

b.    large surface area · moist lining

c.    Dense network of capillaries.Features of a gaseous exchange surface are:

                                          i.    The structures involved in gaseous exchange in mammals are the nose, mouth, pharynx, glottis, trachea, lungs, bronchioles, alveoli, ribs, pleural membranes and diaphragm.

                                        ii.    Gaseous exchange is affected by the amount of haemoglobin in the blood and carbon dioxide concentration.

                                       iii.    In plants, gaseous exchange can take place through the stomata in the leaves, lenticels in woody stems or in breathing roots.

                                       iv.    Respiration is the process by which food substances are broken down to release energy.

                                        v.    Aerobic respiration takes place in the mitochondria in the presence of oxygen

                                       vi.    Aerobic respiration involves two stages: glycolysis and Kreb's cycle.

                                      vii.    Anaerobic respiration takes place in the cytoplasm in the absence of oxygen.

                                    viii.    Diseases and infections that affect the respiratory system include bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and emphysema and influenza.