Breathing

The process of Breathing is carried out with the help of respiratory system. It involves taking in and giving out air. Air is a mixture of different gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen etc. It also consists of water vapours and dust particles. The chart given below shows the amount of the percentage of these gases inhaled and exhaled during the process of respiration. This chapter for Respiratory System in Humans has two parts. To check part 1 Respiration of this chapter click this link : https://lessonstobelearneda-z.blogspot.com/2022/03/respiration.html

Gases Gas inhaled Gas exhaled

Oxygen 21% 17%

Carbon dioxide 0.03% 4%

Nitrogen 79% 79%

Water vapours varies saturated

What is inhalation?

The process of taking inside air is known as inhalation.

Above path shows the passage of air from the nose towards the lungs from where it is absorbed by the blood through the capillaries . The alveoli in lungs consist of oxygen rich blood in which the amount of CO2 is less. The capillaries consist of blood that has more CO2 and less oxygen. Oxygen in the alveoli passes to the blood capillaries and combines with haemoglobin to form oxyhaemoglobin. This oxygen is then carried by the blood to different parts of the body where it is used in the process of oxidation of food to get energy, H2O and CO2 . CO2 released in the process of respiration is carried by the blood to the alveoli in the form of carbaminohaemoglobin which is thrown out by the nose.

What is the mechanism of breathing?

The process in which oxygen is taken inside and carbon dioxide is given out is known as breathing. It involves two steps -

1.Inhalation - The process of taking in air or oxygen is known as inhalation. The ribs move upwards and outwards. The muscles connected with the rib cage contracts.Diaphragm which is a large and dome shaped muscle located below the lungs becomes flat and moves downward. As the volume of the chest cavity is increased, the air pressure inside the lungs decreases. So the air moves towards the lungs from outside as it always moves from high pressure to low pressure.

2.Exhalation - The process of giving out air or carbon dioxide is known as exhalation.Ribs are moved downwards and inwards.The muscles connected to the rib cage and diaphragm are relaxed. The muscles connected to the diaphragm moves upwards. As the volume of the chest cavity is decreased, the air pressure inside the lungs increases. So the air is moved out of the lungs.

Respiratory diseases

These are the diseases that affect the respiratory tract and cause trouble in breathing. Some of the common respiratory diseases are -

1.Asthma - This causes inflammation of the airways. Mucus starts accumulating in them which makes them narrow and they swell up.

Symptoms - (a) Coughing

(b) Wheezing

(c)Pain in the chest

(d)Difficulty in breathing

Causes - (a) Common cold

(b)Air pollution

(c)Breathing in chilly air

(d)Irritants such as dust, pollen, smoke etc.

2.Pneumonia - In this disease, the air sacs in the body get infected and inflammed. This infection causes the air sacs to fill with pus or fluid.

Symptoms - (a)Fever

(b)Dry cough

(c)Breathing difficulty

(d)Pain in the chest

Causes - Pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

Antibiotics are used to pneumonia caused by bacteria and antiviral medications are used for pneumonia that is caused by viruses.

3.Bronchitis - There occurs inflammation and swelling of bronchi or bronchial tubes in this disease. Bronchi or bronchial tubes are those tubes that help in carrying air to the lungs.

Symptoms - (a) Cough

(b) Wheezing

(c)Difficulty breathing

(d) Pain in the chest

Causes - It is caused by viruses.

4.Tuberculosis (TB) - Tuberclosis is a communicable disease which can spread from to the other. It affects the lungs.

Symptoms - (a) Persistent coughing

(b) Pain in the chest

(d)Weight loss

(e)sweating in nights

Causes -This bacterial infection is caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis.

It is usually prevented with the help of BCG vaccine.

Hope you liked this article Breathing for ICSC biology class 6.Please share it and comment if you want article on any other topic. You can practice this topic using Worksheets for Science

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