Pathway of Air

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Adaptations of the Lungs for Gaseous Exchange

The lungs have the following adaptations to make sure efficient gaseous exchange takes place:

Contain alveoli

There are millions of alveoli (air sacs) in each lung (approximately 150 million in each).
The alveoli have the following adaptations for gaseous exchange:
- They are only 1 cell thick, meaning that there's a short distance for the oxygen to travel.
- They are moist.

Good blood supply

There is a very good blood supply to the lungs. This means that there are plenty of capillaries (blood vessels) surrounding the alveoli for diffusion to take place.

Large surface area

Because each bronchiole contains a cluster of alveoli, there is a large surface area for diffusion to happen over. This lets the blood absorb more oxygen.
The capillaries are only 1 cell thick and wrap tightly around the alveoli, so the distance for diffusion remains small.

For diffusion to happen, there must be a difference in the concentration of a gas in the alveoli and in the blood. The gas will diffuse from the area of higher concentration (more particles) to the area of lower concentration (fewer particles).

Oxygen

Oxygen travels from the alveoli into the blood because:
- There is a high concentration of oxygen in the alveoli.
- There is a low concentration of oxygen in the blood.

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide travels from the blood into the alveoli because:
- There is a high concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood.
- There is a low concentration of carbon dioxide in the alveoli.

Haemoglobin

Red blood cells carry haemoglobin, which transports gases around the body.
- Haemoglobin carries carbon dioxide from the body to the alveoli in the lungs.
- Oxygen binds with haemoglobin to make oxyhaemoglobin. This is transported through the blood to the tissues around the body.

1Applied Anatomy & Physiology

1.1The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.1Musculoskeletal Structure

1.1.2Structure of the Skeleton

1.1.3Functions of the Skeleton

1.1.4Joints

1.1.5Joints 2

1.1.6Antagonistic Muscle Movement

1.1.7End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Musculoskeletal System

1.2The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.1Pathway of Air

1.2.2Blood Vessels

1.2.3Blood Vessels 2

1.2.4Structure of the Heart

1.2.5Cardiac Cycle

1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance

1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing

1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 2

1.2.9The Lungs

1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System

1.3Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise

1.3.1Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration

1.3.2Recovering After Exercise

1.3.3Treatments for Recovery

1.4Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.1Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.2Long-Term Effects of Exercise

2Movement Analysis

2.1Lever Systems

2.1.1Lever Systems

2.1.2Mechanical Advantage

2.1.3Basic Sporting Movements

2.1.4Basic Sporting Movements 2

2.2Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.1Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Movement Analysis

2.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Movement

3Physical Training

3.1Health & Fitness

3.1.1Health & Fitness

3.2The Components of Fitness

3.2.1The Components of Fitness

3.2.2Sports & Fitness

3.2.3Fitness Testing

3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance

3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination

3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power

3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength

3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility

3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness

3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests

4The Principles of Training

4.1Principles of Training

4.1.1Principles & Circuit Training

4.1.2Continuous & Fartlek Training

4.1.3Plyometric & Static Training

4.1.4Weight & Interval Training

4.2Optimising Training

4.2.1Optimising Training

4.2.2Altitude & Seasonal Training

4.2.3Warming Up

4.2.4Cooling Down

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Principles & Optimisation

4.2.6Exam-Style Questions - Sport-Specific Fitness

5Using Data

5.1Types of Data

5.1.1Quantitative Data

5.1.2Qualitative Data

5.2Data Presentation & Analysis

5.2.1Data Presentation & Analysis

6Sports Psychology

6.1Skills

6.1.1Skills

6.1.2Skills 2

6.1.3Goals & Targets

6.1.4Skills HyperLearning

6.2Feedback & Preparation

6.2.1Information Processing

6.2.2Guidance

6.2.3Guidance 2

6.2.4Feedback

6.2.5Mental Preparation

6.2.6Controlling & Optimising Arousal

6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Skills & Guidance

6.3Personality & Behaviour

6.3.1Aggression

6.3.2Motivation

6.3.3Personality Types

6.3.4End of Topic Test - Sports Psychology

6.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Aggression & Motivation

7Socio-cultural Influences

8Health & Fitness

8.1Overview of Health

8.1.1Well-Being & Fitness

8.1.2Types of Health

8.2Sedentary Lifestyles

8.2.1Sedentary Lifestyle

8.2.2Obesity & Performance

8.2.3Somatotypes

8.3Nutrition & Hydration

8.3.1Nutrition

8.3.2Nutrition 2

8.3.3Hydration

8.3.4End of Topic Test - Health & Fitness

8.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Nutrition & Hydration

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