The Respiratory System 3.

6
Whether you are aware of it or not, you breathe in and out 15 times each minute
on average. !is rate increases automatically if your physical activity increases.
respiratory system the organ system
With normal breathing, the average person moves more than 10 000 L of air in that is made up of the nose, mouth,
and out of the lungs each day. trachea, bronchi, and lungs; the system
!e respiratory system is responsible for providing the oxygen needed by that provides oxygen for the body and
the body and for removing the carbon dioxide produced as your body uses allows carbon dioxide to leave the body
energy for growth, repair, and movement. !e respiratory system works in
close collaboration with the circulatory system (Figure 1). As you learned in lungs
Section 3.4, the circulatory system moves substances to all parts of the body. (air containing oxygen,
carbon dioxide,
Structural Features and other gases)
!e respiratory system consists of the lungs and the other organs that
O2 CO2
connect the lungs to the outside (Figure 2(a)). Air enters through the mouth
and the nose, passes through the pharynx (throat), and travels down the
trachea (commonly known as the windpipe). !e trachea separates into two circulatory
branches called bronchi (singular: bronchus). system
Some of the epithelial cells that line the trachea and bronchi produce
mucus, similar to those in the digestive system. Many of the epithelial cells
have cilia (hairlike projections). Cillia help move mucus and filter out any O2 CO2
foreign material that might enter the system (Figure 2(b)). !e bronchi
deliver air into the lungs. tissues
(cells requiring oxygen
and producing
carbon dioxide)

Figure 1 The respiratory system relies

on the circulatory system to distribute
oxygen to the cells and to remove
nasal cavity carbon dioxide.
mouth (b)

trachea
DID YOU KNOW?
Keeping Food Out
bronchi ciliated epithelial cells Your mouth can contain both food and
air. How does your body manage to
send food to your stomach and air to
lung
your lungs? When you swallow food,
a flap of tissue called the epiglottis
covers the opening to the trachea. This
prevents the food from going down the
wrong tube. Occasionally, some food
or liquid does sneak into the trachea.
(a) bronchioles The resulting bout of coughing is your
alveoli body’s attempt to get it out of the
trachea and into its rightful place.
Figure 2 (a) The human respiratory system (b) Epithelial cells with cilia

NEL 3.6 The Respiratory System 91

 !e trachea is supported by rings of cartilage. !is keeps the trachea open
To find out how the respiratory
and allows the air to flow freely. Cartilage is a special type of connective tissue
system also enables speech, consisting of specialized cells embedded in a matrix of strong but flexible
GO TO NELSON SCIENCE fibres. !is matrix was formed by cells but is not actually living material.

Gas Exchange
!e main purpose of the respiratory system is gas exchange. Oxygen enters
the bloodstream in the lungs by diffusion. Carbon dioxide leaves the blood
in the same way. !e respiratory system is adapted in several ways to make
these processes as e%cient as possible.
Each of the bronchi branch again and again, ending in tiny air sacs
alveolus (plural: alveoli) tiny sac of air in called alveoli (singular: alveolus) (Figure 3(a)). !e alveoli have very thin
the lungs that is surrounded by a network walls. Each alveolus is surrounded by a network of capillaries. Oxygen and
of capillaries; where gas exchange takes
carbon dioxide have only to diffuse through two thin walls: the walls of the
place between air and blood
capillaries and the walls of the alveoli (Figure 3(b)).

carbon
dioxide
alveoli
oxygen
single
alveolus
Figure 3 (a) Each alveolus is surrounded
by a capillary network to ensure a good
blood supply. (b) The alveoli provide a
huge surface area in the lungs across capillary red
which oxygen and carbon dioxide can network blood
(a) (b) capillary cells
diffuse.

LEARNING TIP !e circulatory system provides a good blood supply to the lungs. !is
Diffusion
helps make the respiratory system very e%cient. !e concentration of
Substances always diffuse from where oxygen in the blood that flows through the lungs is always less than the
they are in high concentration to where concentration of oxygen in the air in the alveoli. !is means that oxygen
they are in low concentration. always diffuses into the blood. As the blood picks up oxygen, it is quickly
carried away to other parts of the body, where the oxygen diffuses out of the
blood and into the cells. At the same time, excess carbon dioxide diffuses
from the cells into the blood. It is then carried by the blood to the lungs,
where it diffuses out into the air in the alveoli and is expelled to the outside.

Breathing
!e respiratory system includes a method of moving air into and out of the
lungs. !
Ontario is process,
Science 10SB which we call breathing, involves alternately drawing
Ontario Science 10SB air into the lungs (inhalation) and then pushing air out (exhalation). !is
Unit A Tissues:
process involves muscles that move the ribs, making the rib cage expand
Unit A Tissues: and contract.
Figure Number Breathing also involves the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle
C03-F15B-UAOS9SB
Figure Number To see how the volume of the
C03-F15A-UAOS9SB underneath the lungs.
Company
Together, the diaphragm and the muscles between the
Theresa Sakno
lungs increases and decreases ribs increase or decrease the volume of the lungs (Figure 4). As the volume
Company as Theresa
the diaphragm contracts and
Sakno Creative
relaxes, of the lungs changes, the pressure inside them also changes. In this way,
Creative GO TO NELSON SCIENCE fresh air flows into and out of the alveoli.
Pass

Pass Approved Approved

Approved 92 Chapter
Approved3 • Animal Systems Not approved NEL

Not approved
 exhalation inhalation DID YOU KNOW?
volume decreases volume increases
Hiccups!
The condition commonly known as
hiccups is caused by the muscles of
the diaphragm suddenly contracting.
When the diaphragm quickly contracts,
air rushes into the mouth and pharynx,
rib trachea
cage lungs causing the epiglottis to snap shut
over the end of the trachea. This
produces the “hic” sound. Numerous
events can trigger hiccups, from eating
too fast to coughing. Hiccups normally
stop without intervention and rarely
become a medical problem.

muscles relax, muscles contract,

diaphragm is dome-shaped diaphragm flattens
Figure 4 Inhalation involves drawing air into the lungs; exhalation involves pushing the air out.

CONTROL OF BREATHING C03-F31-UAOS10SB.ai

!e control over our breathing is involuntary; we do not generally have to

think about breathing. We can override the involuntary system and stop
breathing or control it while we Illustrator
talk, but this control is only temporary.
!e involuntary system soon takes over
Joel and again
Sharonafter a short period of time.
Harris
Try it and see: how long can you hold your breath?
Breathing is controlled by a part of the brain that detects the
concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood. As the level of carbon dioxide gills
increases, the brain sends signals to the diaphragm, the muscles between operculum
the ribs, and the heart. !e breathing rate increases, and the heart beats
faster. !is has the double effect of decreasing the concentration of
carbon dioxide in the blood and increasing the available oxygen.
UAOS10SB
0-17-635528-6 The Respiratory System in
Other Animals
Figure Number !e roleC03-F31-UAOS10SB.ai
of the respiratory system is to make oxygen available
Company to all ofNesbitt
the cells of the body and to get rid of waste carbon dioxide.
Graphics
Creative In comparison to mammals, many other organisms have simple
Pass respiratory systems. Regardless of how simple or complex, all respiratory
3rd Pass
Approved systems depend on the process of diffusion to move oxygen in and carbon
Not Approved dioxide out.
Figure 5 Fish ensure a constant flow
The Respiratory System in Fish of water over their gills by opening and
In fish, the gas exchange organs are the gills. !e gills are exposed directly to closing their mouths or by swimming.
the water (Figure 5). Like lungs, gills have many capillaries that bring blood
very close to the water so that oxygen can diffuse from the water into the
blood. Similarly, carbon dioxide can diffuse from the blood into the water.
Fish do not actually breathe in the same way humans do, but you may have
noticed fish opening and closing their mouths to create a %ow of water over To see a video showing the
their gills. Some fish need to swim constantly to keep a supply of oxygenated respiratory organs of fish,
water %owing over their gills. GO TO NELSON SCIENCE

NEL 3.6 The Respiratory System 93

 Diseases of the Respiratory System
Because the respiratory system is constantly exposed to substances in the air,
it is not surprising that is it affected by many different diseases.
Tuberculosis
DID YOU KNOW? Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease, which means that it is easily
TB Around the World passed between people. It is caused by bacteria that enter your body when
TB is on the increase around the world, you breathe. The bacteria grow in your lungs, although the disease can
especially in developing countries. It spread to other parts of your body, including your nervous system and your
has been estimated that more than
bones. TB has fairly general symptoms: fever, cough, weight loss, tiredness,
8 million new cases develop and
2 million people die from TB each year. and chest pain. If untreated, the disease can be fatal. A chest X-ray is one of
the tests used to diagnose TB (Figure 6). However, other conditions such as
pneumonia may show similar results on an X-ray.

Figure 6 This chest X-ray shows

evidence of TB in the upper part of the
lung on the right.

To con!rm a diagnosis of TB, medical technicians examine samples of

stomach or lung secretions. One of the problems with TB is that, after the
initial contact, the bacteria can remain dormant in the body for decades.
Once diagnosed, however, the disease can be successfully treated with
medicine and a few weeks of hospitalization.
Cancers
Tobacco smoke, both !rst-hand and second-hand, is a serious threat to the health
of the respiratory system. As you read in Section 2.7, tobacco smoke contains
many known carcinogens. These chemicals contribute to cancers not only of the
lungs but also of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, pancreas, and bladder.
SARS
In early 2003, Canada—Toronto in particular—became gripped with fear of
a new, deadly disease known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
SARS spread from a region of China to 37 countries around the world,
threatening to become a global epidemic. In total, Canada identi!ed 438
cases; 44 of these patients died. The symptoms of SARS are flulike and
include high fever, shortness of breath, dry cough, sore throat, headache,
muscle pain, and exhaustion. A diagnosis is made based on the above
symptoms, a chest X-ray showing evidence of pneumonia, and positive lab
results of cell samples taken from the patient.
94 Chapter 3 • Animal Systems NEL
 RESEARCH THIS CANADIANS IN SCIENCE
SKILLS: Researching, Identifying Alternatives, Communicating, Evaluating SKILLS HANDBOOK
4.A., 4.B.
Dr. Sheela Basrur was chief medical officer of health in Toronto Dr. Basrur was a tireless advocate for children, immigrants, and
during the 2003 SARS outbreak (Figure 7). Under her direction, women. She died of a rare form of cancer in 2008 at the age of 51.
Toronto implemented public health measures to control and 1. Research a Canadian scientist who has made a significant
reduce the spread of SARS. Her passion for medicine and public contribution to human health.
health began during her travels through India and Nepal after she
graduated as a medical doctor. 2. Research the scientist’s specific contribution (e.g., research
findings, development of a technology, treatment, advocacy).
3. Research the cultural and educational background of this
individual and what motivated him/her to enter this field.
GO TO NELSON SCIENCE

A. Prepare an oral or written biography of this scientist to share

with classmates. Include aspects from the research you
performed in 1, 2, and 3 above. T/I C
B. Explain why you chose to profile this particular individual. C

Figure 7 Dr. Sheela Basrur: the “SARS doctor.”

UNIT TASK Bookmark

Think about how you could use information about the respiratory system as you work on
the Unit Task on page 156.

IN SUMMARY
• !e respiratory system exchanges gases between • !e circulatory system delivers oxygen to the
the body and the environment. Oxygen diffuses cells and removes carbon dioxide from the cells.
into the body, and carbon dioxide diffuses out. • Many diseases such as tuberculosis, cancers, and
• !e main parts of the human respiratory system SARS affect the respiratory system.
are the nose, mouth, trachea, bronchi, lungs, and • !e respiratory system in fish includes gills,
diaphragm. which obtain oxygen from the surrounding water
• Breathing brings air into and out of the lungs so and get rid of carbon dioxide.
that gas exchange can occur.
• Gas exchange takes place in the alveoli, which are
surrounded by capillary networks containing blood.

CHECK YOUR LEARNING

1. Name the main organs and structures of the respiratory 5. (a) Why is an X-ray insufficient to make a positive
system. K/U diagnosis of tuberculosis?
2. What is the role of the epithelial tissue that lines the (b) What test is required to confirm a diagnosis of TB? K/U

trachea and bronchi? K/U 6. Describe the similarities and differences between the
3. How does an animal’s respiratory system depend on its respiratory systems of humans and fish. K/U
circulatory system? K/U
4. Explain the difference between breathing and gas
exchange. K/U
NEL 3.6 The Respiratory System 95