Respiration and Diffusion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Respiration and Diffusion - Essay Example The word equation is as follows: glucose   Ã‚   >   Ã‚   lactic acid (+ energy) A smaller amount of energy is liberated by anaerobic respiration compared to aerobic respiration. NB: Energy is indicated in brackets in each equation since it is not a chemical substance. Diffusion on the other hand is the movement of molecules of a particular substance from a region of reasonably high concentration to that of lesser concentration(wiki.answers.com ) The aspects that control the speed of diffusion consist of surface area, concentration gradient, and diffusion distance. Animals have developed to increase the diffusion speed across respiratory membranes by increase of the respiratory surface area, concentration gradient, or reducing the distance of diffusion. They are illustrated by Fick’s Law as follows: Fick’s Law of Diffusion: It states that: The speed of transmission of a gas through an area of tissue is proportional to the tissue area and the variation in gas partial pressure between the 2 sides and inversely proportional to the tissue thickness.(source) Volume of gas (per unit time)=Area/Thickness x Diffusion constant x (Partial Pressure 1 - Partial Pressure 2) dV/dt = A/T * D * (P1 - P2) Fick's Law of Diffusion looks at the rate of transfer of gases through tissues. For instance in respiration, the law governs the rate of transfer of Oxygen that comes from alveoli to the blood through the thin blood gas obstacle, and Carbon Dioxide in the reverse direction. (Karp, 2010). The outcome of this correlation is that the Carbon Dioxide will diffuse about 20 times more quickly compared to Oxygen through the tissue areas. This variation is as a result of the solubility of Carbon Dioxide being elevated and therefore raising the diffusion constant. The diffusion constant is relative to the solubility divided by the molecular weight square root. The Fick’s law equation can be practical to different localities and elements of a tissue. Diffusion of gas across thicker parts of tissue will reduce gas diffusion time contrasting to thinner tissue. In addition, bigger area influences the speed of diffusion, by presenting a raise in the volume of gas diffused (Sherwood, 2007). Respiratory system organs Respiration is attained through one’s mouth, nose, trachea, lungs and diaphragm. Oxygen gets into the respiratory system through the mouth and the nose. The oxygen then goes to the larynx and the trachea. In the chest opening, the trachea divides into two lesser tubes known as the bronchi. Every then splits again to form the bronchial tubes which go to the lungs where they split into several lesser tubes which attach to alveoli. The oxygen that is taken in pass through the alveoli then diffuses through the capillaries into the blood in the artery. Temporarily, the polluted blood from the veins liberates its carbon dioxide into the alveoli. Carbon dioxide takes the same course out of the lungs when one breathes out. A diaphragm assists in pumping carbon dioxide outside the lungs and draws oxygen into the lungs. As it relaxes and contracts, respiration occurs. It is by this means that one breathes in and out. Circulatory system The system includes the heart and the blood vessels and circulates blood all through the body. An individual’s body has approximately 5 liters of blood constantly circulating through the circulatory system.