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Respiratory System Overview

Before diving into the respiratory system, it's crucial to understand respiration itself:

Respiration is a special process where food molecules are oxidized inside

body cells, releasing energy.

In simpler terms, respiration involves the breakdown of food to produce energy.

The Chemical Process

When we eat, food is converted into glucose c h o . As we breathe, oxygen enters
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our bodies. Inside our cells, glucose reacts with oxygen, producing carbon dioxide (
co ), water (h o), and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is an energy molecule that
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fuels our body. This process is called glycolysis, which is studied in detail in
biochemistry.

Types of Respiration
There are two main types of respiration:

External Respiration:
Occurs between the lungs and the atmosphere.
It's a mechanical process involving breathing.
Energy is utilized in this process.
Internal Respiration:
Occurs inside the cells within the mitochondria.
It's a chemical process.
Energy is synthesized (ATP production).

Think of it this way: external respiration is the act of breathing, which requires effort
but doesn't directly produce energy. Internal respiration is where the magic happens,
as oxygen interacts with glucose to create ATP, powering our cells.

Organs of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system is divided into two tracts:

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Upper Respiratory Tract

Lower Respiratory Tract

Upper Respiratory Tract

Organ Description

Nose External entry point for air.

Nasal Cavity Filters and warms incoming air.
Pharynx The throat; passageway for air and food.
Larynx Voice box; contains vocal cords for speech.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Organ Description

Trachea Windpipe; carries air to the lungs.

Bronchi Branches of the trachea that enter the lungs.
Bronchioles Smaller branches of the bronchi.
Alveoli Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs.
Main organs of respiration where oxygen and carbon dioxide are
Lungs
exchanged.

Upper Respiratory Tract: Nose and Nasal

Cavity
The nose is a vital part of the upper respiratory tract.

Directly connected to the external environment.

The front of the nose has nostrils, which are connected to the nasal cavity.

Special Cells in the Nose

Inside the nose, there are special cells called goblet cells.

Goblet cells produce mucus.

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Mucus plays a crucial role:

It traps harmful microorganisms that enter through the air.

It contains antibacterial and anti-microorganism properties to inactivate these
microorganisms, preventing them from causing harm in the body.

Key Functions
Goblet cells produce mucus.
Mucus traps and kills harmful microorganisms.

Pharynx
The lecture transcript ends abruptly at the beginning of the pharynx section.

Upper Respiratory Tract: Pharynx

The pharynx is part of the upper respiratory tract that:

Takes oxygen from the nose

Sends it to the larynx

Think of the pharynx as a pipe that provides connectivity.

It connects the nasal cavity (nose) directly to the larynx.

The normal length of the pharynx is 12-14 cm.

Parts of the Pharynx

The pharynx has three parts:

Nasopharynx: Connected to the nose. The prefix "naso" means connected to

the nose.
Oropharynx: Connected to the oral cavity. The prefix "oro" means connected to
the oral cavity.
Laryngopharynx (or Hypopharynx)

Larynx (Voice Box)

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The larynx, also called the voice box or vocal cords, produces sound, enabling us to
speak.

Its main function is to keep food separate from the airway.

The epiglottis is located on the upper side of the larynx.

When food enters, the epiglottis blocks the airway.

When air enters, the epiglottis blocks the food pipe.

When we breathe, air fills the lungs, not the stomach, because the epiglottis directs
air properly. When we eat, food goes to the stomach, not the lungs, because the
epiglottis blocks the food pipe.

Lower Respiratory Tract: Trachea

The trachea is an important part of the lower respiratory tract.

The upper part of the trachea is attached to the larynx.

The lower part is attached to the lungs.
The trachea is made of many C-shaped cartilage rings that protect the pipe.
Its normal length is about 12 cm.

Bronchi and Bronchioles

The trachea enters the lungs and divides into smaller branches called bronchi.

If the trachea is the trunk of a tree, the bronchi are the tree's large
branches.

If you continue to go down the bronchi, you will eventually reach the bronchioles.

The right lung typically has three bronchi.

The left lung has two bronchi.

Alveoli
Alveoli are considered the functional unit of the respiratory system and the lungs.

They are grape-like structures where gas exchange occurs.

Think of alveoli as tiny balloons at the end of the bronchioles where

oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide is released.

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There are approximately 300 million alveoli in both lungs.

Lungs
The lungs are:

Paired
Spongy
Air-filled
Cone-shaped organs divided into lobes

The lungs are covered by a double pleural layer which provides protection.

A pleural fluid is present between the layers.

Lung Lobes

Lung Number of Lobes

Right Three
Left Two

Mechanism of Respiration
The mechanism of respiration includes:

Breathing mechanism: Air entering and exiting the lungs.

Exchange of gases: Occurs in the alveoli.

Breathing Mechanism
This process involves air entering and exiting the lungs. It consists of two steps:

Inspiration:
Atmospheric air enters the lungs through the mouth or nose.
Also called inhalation.
Expiration:
Air passes out of the lungs into the atmosphere.
Also called exhalation.

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Exchange of Gases
Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs and completes in three steps.

Transportation of Oxygen
The process of respiration involves several key steps:

1. Transportation of Oxygen
2. Cellular Respiration
3. Transportation of Carbon Dioxide (removal)

Oxygen Transfer via Diffusion

In the alveoli, oxygen transfers to the blood via diffusion.

Diffusion: The process where oxygen moves from the air we breathe
into the blood. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide moves from the blood
into the alveoli to be exhaled.

Air is inhaled into the alveoli.

Oxygen from the inhaled air enters the blood vessels.

Carbon dioxide (CO ) from the blood enters the alveoli.

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When exhaling, CO is expelled.

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Role of Hemoglobin
Oxygen travels to different tissues in the body via hemoglobin in the blood.
Oxygen binds to hemoglobin, which carries it throughout the body.
The blood returns to the heart, specifically through the superior vena cava and
inferior vena cava.
From the heart, the oxygenated blood is sent to the lungs via the pulmonary
artery.

Cellular Respiration

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Process Inside Cells

Cells receive oxygen, initiating cellular respiration.

Cellular Respiration: After oxygen is received by a cell, the cell

performs cellular respiration.

Oxygen is used to break down glucose, which is then converted into carbon
dioxide and ATP (energy).

Glycolysis
The process of glycolysis generates energy.

Carbon Dioxide Transport

Removal of CO 2

Carbon dioxide produced during cellular respiration is transported via veins to

the heart.
From the heart, it moves to the lungs and is expelled during exhalation.
The entire cycle involves CO moving from outside the body into the lungs,
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then into the blood, and finally to the cells to break down glucose and produce
energy before being expelled.

Summary of Gas Exchange and Respiration

Process Location Description

Inhalation Lungs Oxygen enters the lungs.

Oxygen moves into the blood, and carbon dioxide
Gas Exchange Alveoli
moves into the alveoli.
Oxygen is carried by hemoglobin to cells, and carbon
Transportation Bloodstream
dioxide is transported back to the lungs via the heart.
Oxygen breaks down glucose to produce energy (ATP)
Cellular Resp. Cells
and carbon dioxide.
Exhalation Lungs Carbon dioxide is removed from the body.

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