Mechanism of breathing

Lungs location

Lungs lie in the thorax of either side of heart

Lungs protectors

Lungs are protected by the ribs and intercoastal muscles

Name of membrane surrounding the lung

Pleura surrounds the lungs and is a double membrane

Lubricating fluid

Space between double membrane is filled by a lubricating liquid, which allows it to glide over one another

Lungs are spongy…why?

Lungs are spongy, due to presence of alveoli

Alveoli

Alveoli are bubble like pockets in walls of air sacs

Function of alveoli

Alveoli help provide greater surface area in lungs and is the respiratory surface

Why are alveoli surrounded by capillaries?

Alveolus are surrounds by capillaries for the process of converting deoxygenated blood into oxygenated blood.

How does exchange of gases occur? Explain path of oxygen

Inner surface of alveoli has moisture and oxygen dissolves in this moisture and diffuses into thin walled capillaries and move into blood.

Describe the path of carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide diffuses in opposite direction, meaning from blood, to capillaries and into alveoli.