Educator

The Respiratory System

• To survive, animals must obtain oxygen and dispose of carbon dioxide. This exchange of gases between an organism and its environment is accomplished by the process of respiration.

• All animals ultimately rely on diffusion for gas exchange, but only the simplest and smallest organisms use diffusion alone. Complex animals have evolved a number of different adaptations for gas exchange. These specialized structures include the skin, tracheal tubes, gills, and lungs.

• In this Lesson, we'll explore the different types of respiratory systems and the components of these systems. We’ll also study the structure and physiology of the human respiratory system, including the mechanism and control of breathing.

• We’ll conclude by looking at the role of breathing in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the circulatory system, and how these gases are transported throughout the body.