Exchange of Gases

Introduction

When we refer to gas exchange in the lungs, we talk about the primary function of our respiratory system. How does it work? We breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide through our respiratory system. The alveoli are the final stop for oxygen after it enters the lungs. The close proximity between cells lining alveoli and the surrounding capillaries creates an extremely thin layer of cells. A micron (1/10,000 of a centimetre, or 0.000039 inches) is the typical thickness of the air-blood barrier. This air-blood barrier allows oxygen to enter the capillaries swiftly. Carbon dioxide is also expelled from the alveoli as a byproduct of the blood’s metabolism.

Gaseous exchange in humans

The body must be able to generate enough energy to remain alive. Therefore, oxidation, the burning of food molecules to produce energy, is used (whereby oxygen and food molecules get combined).

Carbon dioxide and water are formed due to the oxidation of carbon and hydrogen. Because of this, oxygen and carbon dioxide are both required for life to exist. Therefore, humans must have an organ system designed to remove carbon dioxide from the circulatory blood and absorb oxygen from the environment rapidly enough to meet the body’s needs, even during periods of intense exercise. As a result, oxygen enters, and carbon dioxide is exhaled through the respiratory system. This way, the process of gas exchange in the lungs takes place.

The exchange of gases between inhaled air and blood is referred to as Respiration (external).

The role of nose and mouth for gaseous exchange in humans

The airways and lungs are connected by the respiratory system, which begins with the nose and mouth. Air goes through the respiratory system through the nose and mouth and travels down the throat (pharynx) and into the voice box (larynx) for gaseous exchange in humans. For example, when a person swallows, a thin flap of tissue (epiglottis) covers the opening to the larynx, stopping drinks and food from getting into the lungs.

The trachea is the largest airway through which the exchange of gases takes place in the body

You’ll find the largest airway in your trachea (windpipe). The trachea segregates into two smaller airways: the left and right bronchi, which lead to the two lungs, respectively, for gaseous exchange in humans.

• In the right lung, there are three lobes, while in the left lung, there are two. Because it shares the left side of the chest with the heart, the left lung is slightly smaller than the right

• Bronchioles, the smallest airways in the body, are only 1/100th of an inch across and branch off from the bronchi in several ways. The bronchial tree gets its name from its resemblance to an upside-down tree in the respiratory system. The semi-flexible, fibrous connective tissue known as cartilage keeps the large airways open through which the exchange of gases takes place in the body. The lung tissue that surrounds and is linked to the smaller airways provides support. Larger airways have a thicker layer of smooth muscle covering them. The airway size can be altered by the relaxation or contraction of the airway muscle
• Each bronchiole ends with thousands of tiny air sacs (alveoli). The surface area of the lungs’ millions of alveoli is more than 100 square metres (1111 square feet) which helps for gaseous exchange in humans. Tiny blood vessels, known as capillaries, form a dense network in the alveolar walls. It allows oxygen from alveoli to enter blood and carbon dioxide from capillaries to enter alveoli through a thin barrier between air and capillaries
• The pleura is a thin, slick membrane that lines the inside of the chest cavity and protects the lungs. When breathing and moving, the lungs can move freely. Pleural fluid usually is very sparsely distributed between the two pleural layers. As the lungs expand and contract, the two layers slide over each other and thus, the exchange of gases takes place in the body

Process of Gaseous Exchange in the Human body

There is a specific system through which the exchange of gases occurs in our body. Ventilation, diffusion, and perfusion are all necessary for the gas exchange in the lungs from the ambient air to the blood moving through the lungs.  

• Ventilation is the movement of air through the lungs through which exchange of gases takes place in the body
• Perfusion is the movement of blood through the lungs by the circulatory system
• Diffusion is the transfer of gases between alveoli and capillaries without any effort or energy on the part of the organism

Cells Enabling Gaseous Exchange in Humans

Cells in the body use oxygen from the atmosphere, and circulation are a vital link between these two sources through which the exchange of gases occurs in our body. Furthermore, muscle cells throughout the body are dependent on the ability of the blood to transport oxygen and the ability of the circulatory system to provide blood to them. While the heart pumps blood into the body, some of it travels through the lungs’ blood vessels and into the airways. As a result, they play a vital role in gas exchange in the lungs.

Conclusion

Having the proper knowledge of the respiratory system is the key to understanding the gas exchange in the lungs. A few essential factors covered here are the exchange of gases between inhaled air and blood, referred to as External respiration, and different ways of gaseous exchange in humans. 

Inhaling, oxygen and breathing carbon dioxide are the fundamental processes and are the lifelines of the human body. Therefore, a healthy respiratory system will ensure that a human being has a substantial life. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful to the readers in understanding the most vital system of the human body.