14. BREATHING AND EXCHANGE OF GASES
The chapter details the respiratory system's structure and functioning, emphasizing the importance of gas exchange. It covers breathing mechanics, gas transport in blood, and the regulation of respiration. Additionally, various disorders affecting the respiratory system are discussed, highlighting the significance of maintaining respiratory health.
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What we have learnt
- Oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism, and carbon dioxide must be efficiently removed from the body.
- The respiratory system consists of various organs that facilitate gas exchange through a series of defined steps: breathing, diffusion, transport, and utilization of gases.
- Breathing mechanisms create pressure differences to allow for the movement of air, which is crucial for effective respiration.
Key Concepts
- -- Respiratory Organs
- Structures involved in the intake of oxygen and expulsion of carbon dioxide, including the nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
- -- Inspiration and Expiration
- Inspiration is the process of drawing air into the lungs, while expiration is the release of air out of the lungs, both influenced by pressure gradients.
- -- Tidal Volume
- The volume of air breathed in or out during normal respiration, approximately 500 mL.
- -- Oxygen Dissociation Curve
- A graphical representation showing the relationship between the partial pressure of oxygen and the saturation of hemoglobin, exhibiting a sigmoid shape due to cooperative binding.
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