The lungs are the primary organs of respiration in humans and are responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the bloodstream, as well as regulating the pH of the blood through the excretion of carbon dioxide. Keep reading for more detailed A-level Biology revision!

• Green plants absorb energy from sunlight and change it into chemical energy during photosynthesis. They store the chemical energy in high-energy compounds, the most important of which are carbohydrates, especially glucose. The respiration process comprises the uptake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂₎.
• In the case of unicellulars, oxygen diffuses directly into the cell, and CO₂ passes out as a bi-product.
• In the case of multicellulars, the presence of a respiratory system is essential. The uptake of oxygen and release of CO₂ is called ‘gaseous exchange’, which is completely different from cellular respiration.
• Cellular respiration is the process by which energy is extracted from bonds of food molecules manufactured by plants or eaten by animals. The released energy is used in generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules.

The Respiratory System in Humans

Air Entrance:

• Air enters the body through the nose or the mouth. It’s preferable for air to enter through the nose because:

1. This passage is warm, as it is lined with numerous blood capillaries.
2. This passage is moist, as it secretes mucous.
3. This passage serves as a filter, as it contains hairs that act as a filter.

The Pharynx:

• This is a common passage for both food and air. Two tubes extend downwards from the pharynx:

1. The esophagus (that leads to the stomach).
2. The trachea (which is a part of the respiratory system).

The Larynx:

• The larynx is also known as the voice box.

The Trachea:

• Air enters the trachea through the larynx. The trachea wall contains a series of cartilage rings which prevent the trachea wall from collapsing, thus maintaining an open passageway for air.
• The inner surface of the trachea is lined with cilia which beat upwards to create air and mucous currents. This impedes the entry of small foreign bodies and moves them to the pharynx, where they may be swallowed. The trachea is divided at its lower end into two bronchi.

The Two Bronchi:

• Each bronchus enters a lung, where it divides and sub-divides into progressively smaller and smaller bronchioles. Each bronchiole finally opens into one of the many alveoli (air sacs), of which there are about 600 million per lung.
• The thin alveolar walls are considered the actual respiratory surface, as they are surrounded with a large network of blood capillaries. Blood receives oxygen from the alveolar air and carries it to the rest of the body. It gives out CO₂ to the alveoli in return, so that it may get rid of it.
• The whole group of alveoli and bronchioles connected to them, together with the huge network of capillaries, constitute the lung. All animals possess two lungs: a right lung and a left lung.

Read more about Cellular Respiration

The Respiration Mechanism in Humans

The mechanism of respiration in humans is the responsibility of:

• The diaphragm: the respiratory muscle.
• The intercostals muscles: two groups of internal and external chest muscles that move the ribs.

During inhalation:

• The internal muscles between the ribs contract, moving them up.
• The diaphragm muscle below the lungs contracts.
• The chest cavity increases.
• The internal pressure of air inside the lungs is reduced.
• The outside air flows through the nose, downwards through the trachea and finally into the lungs.

During expiration:

• The rib muscles relax.
• The diaphragm relaxes.
• The volume of the chest cavity is reduced.
• The internal pressure increases.
• Air is forced outside the lungs.

During each respiratory cycle (inspiration and expiration), the aeration of the lungs does not exceed 10% of its capacity. This ratio varies according to:

1. The state of the individual between rest and exhaustion.
2. The depth of the inspiration.

• At the end of expiration, some air is always left in the lungs to warm the new air coming into the lungs and to prevent the adhesion of the alveoli membranes from the inside.
• The human lungs are characterized by having a large surface area through which gas exchange occurs.
• The changes in the rate and depth of respiration are accompanied with similar changes in heartbeat. This is regulated by the center of respiration in the brain.
• The respiratory system in humans plays an important role in the excretion of water, as the expired air contains water vapour. Humans usually lose about 500 cm3 of water each day through the lungs, out of the 2500 cm3 of water that humans lose daily. This is due to the evaporation of water that moistens the alveoli membranes. This water is necessary for dissolving oxygen and carbon dioxide so that the exchange of gases between the air of the alveoli and the surrounding blood in the capillaries can occur.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the function of the lungs in the human body?

Lungs are responsible for respiration. The gaseous exchange takes place in the lungs.

What is the functional unit of the lungs?

The function unit of the lungs is an alveolus. The exchange of gases takes place in the alveoli.

What are the common diseases of the lungs?

The common diseases of the lungs are pneumonia, emphysema, tuberculosis, etc.

What type of organ lungs are?

Lungs are spongy organs that have air spaces in them. During inspiration, they expand when air moves into them.