How Do the Lungs Work
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Lesson Article
Many of us have hundreds of things on our minds at any moment, often struggling to keep track of everything we need to do. But fortunately, there is one important thing we don’t have to worry about remembering: breathing. Breathing is a crucial and complex task that keeps our body alive. In this lesson, we will explore the respiratory system and how it works to keep us breathing without even thinking about it.
The Respiratory System
The respiratory system is made up of specialized components that work together to transport oxygen to the body’s cells and clear our system of the carbon dioxide that this work generates. The components include the structures and tissues making up the lungs, as well as the various other respiratory organs connected to them.
The Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system is our brain’s unconscious control center for the vital functions. It triggers the muscles around the lungs to flatten the diaphragm and contract the intercostal muscles between the ribs to create more space for the lungs to expand. This system prepares the body to take in oxygen-rich air.
The Process of Breathing
Air whooshes into the nose and mouth, through the trachea, and into the bronchi that split at the trachea’s base, with one entering each lung. These tubes divide into thousands of tinier passages called bronchioles. At the end of each bronchiole is a little air sack called an alveolus, wrapped in capillaries full of red blood cells containing special proteins called hemoglobin.
The Vital Exchange
At this point, the capillaries are packed with carbon dioxide, and the air sacks are full of oxygen. But due to the basic process of diffusion, the oxygen molecules are drawn out of the alveoli and into the capillaries, while the carbon dioxide molecules travel in the opposite direction, from the capillaries into the air sacks.
The Process of Exhaling
The autonomic nervous system causes the diaphragm to ball up, and the intercostal muscles to relax, making the chest cavities smaller and forcing the lungs to compress. The carbon dioxide-rich air is expelled, and the cycle begins again.
The Importance of Lungs
Lungs inhale and exhale between 15 and 25 times a minute, which amounts to an incredible 10,000 liters of air each day. That’s a lot of work, but don’t sweat it. Your lungs and your autonomic nervous system have got it covered.
Discussion Questions
- What are some of the specialized components that make up the respiratory system?
- How does the autonomic nervous system work to prepare the body to take in oxygen-rich air?
- Can you describe the process of breathing in detail?
- What happens during the vital exchange that occurs in the alveoli?
- How does the autonomic nervous system enable the process of exhaling?
- What are some of the reasons why lungs are so important to the body?
- How does the respiratory system interact with other systems in the body?
- What are some common respiratory problems that people may experience, and how can they be treated or prevented?
Lesson Vocabulary
breathing – the process of inhaling air into the lungs and exhaling it out of the body – She took a deep breath and began to sing.
respiratory system – the organs and tissues involved in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an organism and its environment – The respiratory system includes the lungs, trachea, and bronchi.
oxygen – a gas that is essential for respiration and is necessary for most living organisms – We need oxygen to survive.
carbon dioxide – a gas that is produced when organisms breathe out and is necessary for photosynthesis in plants – The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing.
autonomic nervous system – the part of the nervous system responsible for regulating involuntary functions such as breathing and heart rate – The autonomic nervous system controls the contractions of the diaphragm.
diaphragm – a muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity and contracts and relaxes to facilitate breathing – The diaphragm moves up and down as we breathe.
bronchioles – small air passages in the lungs that lead to the alveoli – The bronchioles are responsible for distributing air to the alveoli.
alveolus – a tiny air sac in the lungs where gas exchange occurs – Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the alveoli.
diffusion – the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration – The movement of oxygen from the alveoli into the bloodstream occurs through diffusion.
exhaling – the process of breathing out air from the lungs – She exhaled slowly and steadily.
lungs – the primary organs of the respiratory system responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide – The lungs are located in the thoracic cavity of the body.
vital exchange – the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide necessary for survival – The vital exchange of gases occurs in the alveoli of the lungs.
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- Categories: Health, TED Ed, Video Lessons
- Keywords: alveolus, autonomic nervous system, breathing, bronchioles, carbon dioxide, diaphragm, diffusion, exhaling, lungs, oxygen, respiratory system, vital exchange
