Respiratory gases -respiration, Biology

Assignment Help:

Respiratory Gases -Respiration

Physiologically the most important gases are oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Molecular oxygen comprises 21% of the atmosphere; carbon dioxide is only 0.3% while nitrogen forms 78.0%. All the gases present in the air exert a combined pressure which is referred to as one atmosphere (760 mm Hg) or 101.3 k Pa. Most of the oxygen is in the air but some of it is also dissolved in the bodies of water and in soil water. An animal's immediate source of oxygen or respiratory medium therefore, is either water or air. Comparison of the gaseous composition and physical characteristics of air and water emphasise the adaptations needed by terrestrial and aquatic animals to overcome the problems of respiration. For example, the oxygen content of air is about 20 times that of water saturated with air. The diffusion rate for oxygen in air is much more than the diffusion rate in water. In addition there is another hazard. Carbon dioxide diffuses rapidly from air into water. Therefore, elimination of carbon dioxide in water and air are different.

 Extraction of oxygen from different media thus presents special problems as a result of the physical characteristics of the environment. Therefore, to understand the physiology of respiration, we must have a basic knowledge of some of the physical properties of gases. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide either in the respiratory organ or at the tissue level is dependent on the partial pressure, concentration and diffusion of gases. Let us consider them one by one.


Related Discussions:- Respiratory gases -respiration

Carbon paper leaf prints, Carbon paper leaf prints Cover the vein side ...

Carbon paper leaf prints Cover the vein side of a leaf with a very thin layer of lard or vaseline. Place the greased leaf vein side up on various layers of newspaper and cover

Describe sampling of grains, Q. Describe Sampling of grains? The qualit...

Q. Describe Sampling of grains? The quality of the food grains is assessed starting with the process called sampling. A sample of the product to be evaluated is taken and the

Iaa stimulates cell enlargement, IAA Stimulates Cell Enlargement Cell...

IAA Stimulates Cell Enlargement Cell wall contains layer of cellulose fibrils and are normally quite rigid. Thus for a cell to grow, there must be a mechanism for relaxing th

Give an introduction to intensive care, Give an introduction to intensive c...

Give an introduction to intensive care ? Intensive Care Medicine has its origins from the polio epidemic of 1952 in Copenhagen. Patients who suffered respiratory paralysis were

Explain the structural and functional changes in cancer , Identify and brie...

Identify and briefly explain the structural and functional changes that occur in the large bowel when colorectal cancer develops.

What are the cytoplasmic structures present in animal cells, Q. What are th...

Q. What are the main cytoplasmic structures present in animal cells? The main cytoplasmic structures of the cell are the centrioles, the cytoskeleton, mitochondria, peroxisomes

Define the dietary requirements of phosphorus, Define the Dietary Requireme...

Define the Dietary Requirements of phosphorus? We read in the previous section that the requirements of phosphorus are closely linked with those of calcium. The phosphorus req

Hunting and export - wildlife, Hunting and Export - Wildlife The hunti...

Hunting and Export - Wildlife The hunting and export of excessive numbers of certain animal species is another important factor leading to dangerous reductions in numbers. The

Symptoms and signs of diabetes mellitus, Symptoms refer to the problems exp...

Symptoms refer to the problems expressed by the patients. Signs are obtained by a health professional from the patients by interacting with him, by conducting tests, etc. The sympt

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd