Structure and Function of LUNGS

Summary

This video explains the critical role of the lungs in the respiratory system. It details how the lungs help in oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal from the body. The process starts with air entering through the nose or mouth, traveling through the respiratory tract to reach the lungs, and oxygen being diffused into the blood via alveoli. Red blood cells transport oxygen to body cells and return carbon dioxide for exhalation. The video emphasizes the importance of both the lungs and blood in sustaining life by enabling breathing and maintaining oxygen levels in the body.

Takeaways

• 🌬️ Our lungs contain approximately 500 million alveoli, covering an area of about 50 square meters, crucial for oxygen exchange.
• 💨 Lungs are the only organs in our body that can float in water.
• ❤️ The lungs are located in the rib cage on either side of the heart, with the left lung being slightly smaller to accommodate the heart.
• 🫁 The process of inhaling and exhaling is facilitated by a respiratory tract, connected to the nose and mouth.
• 👃 Air passes through the nasal cavity, where mucus filters dust and pollutants, ensuring cleaner air reaches the lungs.
• 🗣️ The pharynx acts as a junction for both air and food, preventing food from entering the lungs while breathing.
• 🔊 The larynx, or voice box, allows us to produce different sounds during speech.
• 🌿 The trachea splits into two bronchi, which further divide into smaller branches inside the lungs, leading to alveoli where oxygen is absorbed.
• 🩸 Oxygen is diffused into the blood and binds with hemoglobin in red blood cells, delivering oxygen to different body cells.
• ♻️ Carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cellular respiration, is expelled from the body through the same respiratory tract during exhalation.

Q & A

What is the total surface area of the alveoli in the lungs?

The total surface area of the alveoli in the lungs is approximately 50 square meters.

What role do the lungs play in the body?

The lungs are responsible for supplying oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide through respiration.

Where are the lungs located in the body?

The lungs are located inside the rib cage, on either side of the heart, with the left lung being slightly smaller than the right due to the position of the heart.

What is the function of the respiratory tract?

The respiratory tract connects the lungs to the nose and mouth, allowing air to enter and exit the lungs. It also filters and removes pollutants and harmful components from the air before it reaches the lungs.

What happens in the nasal cavity during respiration?

In the nasal cavity, mucus acts as a filter, absorbing dust, pollutants, and harmful components from the air before it enters the respiratory system.

How does the body prevent food from entering the lungs while eating?

During eating, the airway (larynx) is temporarily blocked to prevent food from entering the lungs and instead directs it toward the stomach.

What is the role of the larynx in respiration?

The larynx, also known as the voice box, helps in producing different sounds during speech and directs air into the trachea during breathing.

How does oxygen reach the body's cells?

Oxygen diffuses through the alveoli in the lungs into the blood and binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs). These RBCs then transport oxygen to the body’s cells for energy production.

How is carbon dioxide removed from the body?

Carbon dioxide, produced by cells during respiration, is carried back to the lungs through the blood. It diffuses from the blood into the alveoli and is expelled when we exhale.

What percentage of carbon dioxide is carried by hemoglobin in the blood?

Approximately 20 to 25 percent of carbon dioxide is carried by hemoglobin in the form of carbaminohemoglobin.