BIOL 2160 : Respiratory Physiology Part 1 Of Final
Document Summary
Internal respiration, also known as cellular respiration, uses o2 and produces co2 within the mitochondria. External respiration, however, exchanges o2 and co2 between the atmosphere and body tissue. External respiration includes: pulmonary ventilation (breathing), gas exchanges between the lungs and the blood by diffusion, transport of o2 and co2 in blood to tissues, gas exchanges between blood and tissues via diffusion. Respiratory anatomy: upper airways are the air passages in the head and neck region, pharynx are the tubes for both air and food, respiratory tract are all air passages from the pharynx to the lungs. The respiratory tract includes the conducting zone, which moves air from the larynx to the lungs, humidifies and warms air; it has thick walls. And the respiratory zone, which is the actual site of gas exchange; it has thin walls. The thinness of the alveolar wall facilitates gas exchange.
