The Respiratory System and Gas Exchange

The Lungs

• The Lungs are protected by the rib-cage and surrounded by the pleural membrane.
• The air you breath goes through the trachea. This splits into 2 tubes called bronchi going into each lung.
• Then the bronchi split into smaller tubes called the bronchioles.
• Finally the bronchioles finally end with small air sacs called alveoli where gas exchange takes place.

Breathing In

• Intercostal muscles and diaphragms contract
• Thorax volume increases

Breathing Out

• Intercostal muscles and diaphragms relax
• Thorax volume decreases

The Effect of…