Cellular respiration

Cellular respiration is the set of the metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.

The reactions involved in respiration are catabolic reactions that involve the redox reaction so oxidation of one molecule and the reduction of another.

Respiration is one of the key ways a cell gains useful energy to fuel cellular changes.

nose and pharynx

Nose:
external nose nasal cavity

Functions:passageway for air, cleans the air, humidities, warms air, smell
along with paranasal sinuses are resonating chambers for speech

Pharynx: common opening for digestive and respiratory systems
Three regions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

composition of Air

The composition of normal, dry, atmospheric air is 20.95% oxygen, 0.03% carbon dioxide and 78.08% nitrogen. The normal atmospheric pressure at sea level is about 76 mmHG. the total pressure exterted by a gas mixture is equal to the sum of pressures exerted by each constituents gas ( Dalton's law)

pO2= 159.2 mmHg
pCO2= 0.003 mmHg
pN2=600.6 mmHg

Atmospheric pressure increases markedly underwater.

physical principles of gas exchange

Partial pressure: the pressure exerted by each type of gas in a mixture, dalton's law, water vapor pressure.

Diffusion of gases through liquids: concentation of gas in a liquid is determined by its partial pressure and its solubility coefficient. Henry's law

minute and alveolar ventilation

Minute ventilation : total amount of air moved into and out of respiratory system per minute. Respiratory rate or frequency : number breaths taken per minute. Anatomic dead space : part of respiratory system where gas exchange does not take place.

Alveolar ventilation : how much air per minute enters the parts of the respiratory system in which gas exchange takes place.

residual volume

volume of air remaining in respiration passages and lungs after the most forceful expiration

expiratory reserve volume

amount of air forcefully expired after expiration of normal tidal volume.