9. Gas Exchange

The gas exchange system is responsible for the uptake of oxygen into the blood and the excretion of carbon dioxide. An understanding of this system shows how cells, tissues and organs function together to exchange these gases between the blood and the environment.

9.1 The gas exchange system

  1. describe the structure of the human gas exchange system, limited to:

• lungs

• trachea

• bronchi

• bronchioles

• alveoli

• capillary network

  1. describe the distribution in the gas exchange system of cartilage, ciliated epithelium, goblet cells, squamous epithelium of alveoli, smooth muscle and capillaries

  2. recognise cartilage, ciliated epithelium, goblet cells, squamous epithelium of alveoli, smooth muscle and capillaries in microscope slides, photomicrographs and electron micrographs

  3. recognise trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli in microscope slides, photomicrographs and electron micrographs and make plan diagrams of transverse sections of the walls of the trachea and bronchus

  4. describe the functions of ciliated epithelial cells, goblet cells and mucous glands in maintaining the health of the gas exchange system

  5. describe the functions in the gas exchange system of cartilage, smooth muscle, elastic fibres and squamous epithelium

  6. describe gas exchange between air in the alveoli and blood in the capillaries

Lungs intro

Gas exchange and the lungs