Gas exchange

Structure of the Human Gas Exchange SystemSign up

describe the structure of the human gas exchange system, limited to lungs, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and the capillary network (outcome 1) · describe the distribution in the gas exchange system of cartilage, ciliated epithelium, goblet cells, squamous epithelium of alveoli, smooth muscle and capillaries (outcome 2) · recognise cartilage, ciliated epithelium, goblet cells, squamous epithelium of alveoli, smooth muscle and capillaries in microscope slides, photomicrographs and electron micrographs (outcome 3) · recognise trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli in microscope slides, photomicrographs and electron micrographs, and make plan (tissue-map) diagrams of transverse sections of the walls of the trachea and bronchus (outcome 4)

Functions of Tissues in the Gas Exchange SystemSign up

describe the functions of ciliated epithelial cells, goblet cells and mucous glands in maintaining the health of the gas exchange system (mucus trapping pathogens/particles, cilia sweeping the mucus escalator toward the throat) (outcome 5) · describe the functions in the gas exchange system of cartilage (holding airways open / preventing collapse while allowing flexibility), smooth muscle (controlling airway diameter), elastic fibres (recoil during expiration and stretch on inspiration) and squamous epithelium (thin surface for short diffusion distance) (outcome 6)

Gas Exchange at the AlveoliSign up

know the properties of gas exchange surfaces (large surface area to volume ratio, thin surface, concentration gradient) · understand how the rate of diffusion depends on these properties and can be calculated using Fick's Law of Diffusion · understand how the mammalian lung is adapted for rapid gaseous exchange