BIO 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Extracellular Fluid, Exhalation, Pneumothorax
4 Jul 2016
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Document Summary
Robert boyle- boyle"s law (gases), showed that something in air is required for life and candle burning. Joseph priestly- invented seltzer, discovered that most gases cannot support life and that mice live longer in presence of plants. Antoine lavoisier- amount of oxygen used by living material same as consumed in combustion (also same heat production) Major function is uptake of oxygen, release of carbon dioxide (aerobic metabolism) Atmosphere is 21% o2, bodies of water have dissolved o2 (though oxygen is not very soluble in water). Oceans are reservoir of oxygen because they are so large. Large surface area needed for maximum gas exchange. Respiratory surfaces are exposed to environment and thin (conduction length) Respiratory surface must be moist so cells can be bathed in h20 (maintains plasma membrane) therefore gases must dissolve in water prior to exchange (co2 is more soluble so exchanges more readily)
