Respiration in Animals

The process of exchange of O₂ (from the atmosphere) with CO₂ (produced by cells) is called breathing. This process is commonly known as respiration.

In fact, respiration is composed of two proecsses, viz. breathing and cellular respiration. Breathing is related to exchange of gases while cellular respiration is related to oxidation of food to produce energy. In this lesson, you will learn about breathing in animals.

Respiratory Organs in Animals

Mechanisms of breathing vary among different animal groups. It usually depends on the habitat and level of organization.

In case of lower invertebrates, exchange of gases takes place by simple diffusion over the entire body surface, e.g. sponges, coelenterates, flatworms, etc.
The moist cuticle of earthworms facilitates exchange of gases.
Insects have a network of tubes through which air is transported within the body. These tubes are called tracheae.
Gills are special vascularised structures which are present in most of the aquatic arthropods and mollusks.
In terrestrial animals, vascularised bags; called lungs; are present for the exchange of gases.

Human Respiratory System

The human respiratory system is composed of following organs:

Pharynx

There is a pair of external nostrils which open out above the upper lips. The nostrils lead to a nasal chamber through the nasal passage. The nasal chamber opens into nasopharynx. Nasopharynx is a part of pharynx. Pharynx is the common passage for food and air.

Larynx

Nasopharynx opens through glottis of the larynx into the trachea. Larynx is a cartilaginous box which helps in sound production. Due to this, larynx is also called the sound box. There is a thin elastic cartilaginous flap; called epiglottis. The epiglottis covers the glottis during swallowing. This prevents the entry of food into the larynx.

Trachea

Trachea is a straight tube which extends up to the mid-thoracic cavity. The trachea divides at the level of 5th thoracic vertebra into right and left primary bronchi.

Bronchi

Each bronchus undergoes repeated divisions to form secondary and tertiary bronchi and bronchioles. They finally end up in very thin terminal bronchioles. The tracheae, bronchi and the initial bronchioles are supported by incomplete cartilaginous rings. Each terminal bronchiole gives rise to a number of very thin alveoli. An alveolus is an irregular-walled and vascularised bag-like structure.

Lungs

The lungs are composed of the branching network of bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli. Each lung is covered by a double-layered pleura. The pleura is filled with pleural fluid. The pleural fluid reduces friction on the lung surface. The outer pleural membrane is in close contact with the thoracic lining. The inner pleural membrane is in contact with the lung surface.

Conducting Part of Respiratory System:

The conducting part is constituted by the external nostrils, pharynx, larynx, bronchi and the terminal bronchioles. The conducting part transports the atmospheric air to the alveoli. This part also clears the air from foreign particles, humidifies and brings the air to body temperature.

Exchange Part of Respiratory System:

The exchange part of the respiratory system is composed of the alveoli and their ducts. Actual diffusion of O₂ and CO₂ (between blood and atmospheric air) takes place in the exchange part of the respiratory system.

Thoracic Chamber: The lungs are situated in the thoracic chamber. This is anatomically an air-tight chamber. The thoracic chamber is formed dorsally by the vertebral column, ventrally by the sternum, laterally by the ribs and on the lower side by the dome-shaped diaphragm. Any change in the volume of the thoracic cavity would be reflected in the lung cavity. This is possible because of the typical anatomical setup of lungs in thorax. Such an arrangement is essential for breathing, because we cannot directly alter the pulmonary volume.

Steps of Respiration:

Breathing or pulmonary ventilation facilitates intake of atmospheric air and expulsion of alveolar air.
Diffusion of gases takes place across alveolar membrane.
Oxygen is transported to the tissue by blood.
Diffusion of O₂ and CO₂ takes place between blood and tissues.
Catabolism leads to utilization of O₂ by the cells and release of CO₂.