Function Of The Respiratory System: Notes: The Respiratory System

The Respiratory System

Respiration

It is a chemical reaction that occurs in all living cells. It is the method that energy is discharged from glucose, for our cells to use to keep us functioning. Respiration is not same like breathing it is properly called ventilation.

Aerobic respiration

In the cells, the glucose and oxygen bond together to produce carbon dioxide and water, which is called aerobic respiration. The oxygen from the air is required for it to work.

Glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide+ water (+energy) (energy is released in the reaction)

Anaerobic respiration

It is a type of respiration and it does not use oxygen. Anaerobic respiration is used, if there is not enough oxygen for aerobic respiration.

Glucose -> lactic acid (+ energy released)

How the glucose and oxygen get to the cells and how to get rid of the carbon dioxide

Glucose from food to cell

Glucose is a type of carbon dioxide; we gain this through digestion of the food we eat. It breaks food down into small molecules. Then it can be absorbed through the wall of small intestine into the bloodstream.

Glucose is carried all over the body dispelled in blood plasma, the pale yellow liquid part of blood. From the capillaries, the dispelled glucose can diffuse into the cells of the body. After this the cell can be used in respiration.

Oxygen from the air to cells

When we absorb oxygen, it enters the small air sac called alveoli in the lungs. Then the oxygen diffuses from there to the bloodstream. Oxygen is not contained in the plasma, but is carried by the red blood cells. It contains red substances called haemoglobin. It joins onto oxygen and supplies it around the body in the blood, then allows it go when needed. Like glucose, oxygen can diffuse into ce...

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... from blood to the alveoli. It needs a concentration gradient. So the pressure of oxygen in the alveoli must be maintained in a higher level than in the blood and the pressure of co2 in the alveoli must be lower than in the blood. We do this by breathing like bringing fresh air with lots of oxygen and less co2 into the lungs and the alveoli.

The respiratory system link to the energy metabolism as it gives a way for the intake of gaseous nutrients such as oxygen. Also we need oxygen to burn nutrient molecules. The respiratory system is responsible for providing oxygen that you need to burn nutrients for energy and also clearing the metabolic waste. Also the respiratory system continuously refreshes lung oxygen and disposes of waste products such as carbon dioxide, and water through the process of breathing. Energy released from food in the process of respiration.