9.1 The gas exchange system
9.2 Smoking
The gas exchange system is responsible for the uptake of oxygen into the blood and excreting carbon dioxide. An understanding of this system shows how cells, tissues and organs function together to exchange these gases between the blood and the environment. The health of this system and of the cardiovascular system is put at risk by smoking.
Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
9.1 The gas exchange system
The gas exchange surface in the lungs is extensive, very thin, well supplied with blood and well ventilated. The trachea and bronchi provide little resistance to the movement of air to and from the alveoli.
a) describe the gross structure of the human gas exchange system
b) observe and draw plan diagrams of the structure of the walls of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli indicating the distribution of cartilage, ciliated epithelium, goblet cells, smooth muscle, squamous epithelium and blood vessels
c) describe the functions of cartilage, cilia, goblet cells, mucous glands, smooth muscle and elastic fibres and recognise these cells and tissues in prepared slides, photomicrographs and electron micrographs of the gas exchange system
d) describe the process of gas exchange between air in the alveoli and the blood
9.2 Smoking
Smoking is one of the major avoidable risk factors of chronic, life-threatening diseases of the gas exchange and circulatory systems.
a) describe the effects of tar and carcinogens in tobacco smoke on the gas exchange system with reference to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
b) describe the short-term effects of nicotine and carbon monoxide on the cardiovascular system
9.2 Smoking
The gas exchange system is responsible for the uptake of oxygen into the blood and excreting carbon dioxide. An understanding of this system shows how cells, tissues and organs function together to exchange these gases between the blood and the environment. The health of this system and of the cardiovascular system is put at risk by smoking.
Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
9.1 The gas exchange system
The gas exchange surface in the lungs is extensive, very thin, well supplied with blood and well ventilated. The trachea and bronchi provide little resistance to the movement of air to and from the alveoli.
a) describe the gross structure of the human gas exchange system
b) observe and draw plan diagrams of the structure of the walls of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli indicating the distribution of cartilage, ciliated epithelium, goblet cells, smooth muscle, squamous epithelium and blood vessels
c) describe the functions of cartilage, cilia, goblet cells, mucous glands, smooth muscle and elastic fibres and recognise these cells and tissues in prepared slides, photomicrographs and electron micrographs of the gas exchange system
d) describe the process of gas exchange between air in the alveoli and the blood
9.2 Smoking
Smoking is one of the major avoidable risk factors of chronic, life-threatening diseases of the gas exchange and circulatory systems.
a) describe the effects of tar and carcinogens in tobacco smoke on the gas exchange system with reference to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
b) describe the short-term effects of nicotine and carbon monoxide on the cardiovascular system
