Healthy Lungs
Our lungs are found inside our rib cage on either
side of the heart.
They are spongy and pink in colour and are made
up of millions of air sacs.
The lungs take oxygen into the blood and remove
carbon dioxide from the blood. This is called gas
exchange and happens at the air sacs.
A rings of cartilage
B windpipe
A rings of cartilage
B trachea
C bronchus
A rings of cartilage
B trachea
A rings of cartilage
C bronchus
D air sacs
B trachea
A rings of cartilage
C bronchus
D alveolus
E rib
muscles
A rings of cartilage
B trachea
C bronchus
D alveolus
E intercostal
muscles
F diaphragm
A
B
C
D
E
F
During inhalation, we breathe in . The
muscles of the diaphragm and ribs contract
During exhalation , we breathe out. The
muscles of the diaphragm and ribs relax
Breathing rate
Our breathing rate is the number of breaths you take in one
minute.
Breathing rate will alter according to your size,sex age fitness
or activity.
1.Vital Capacity
This is the maximum volume of air you can breathe out after a
deep breath.
2.Tidal Volume
This is the normal volume of air in one breath.
Both, allow us the measure the health of the lungs
3. Peak Flow
This is measuring the maximum rate ( speed) at which air can
be breathed out.
Peak flow can be used to diagnose asthma.
Exercise improves the efficiency of the lungs
Activity 1 - Measuring Breathing Rate
1. Collect a stopclock and work with a partner
2. Time the number of breaths you take in one minute.(a
breath in and out counts as 1 breath )
3. Record this result.
My breathing rate at rest is ______________.
What would happen to your breathing rate after exercise ?
Activity 2 – Measuring Vital Capacity and Tidal Volume
1. Collect a spirometer and disposable mouthpiece.
2. Your teacher will show you how to use the spirometer
3. Take 3 readings and work out the average.
4. Record this on your table
5. Measure your tidal volume 3 times and work out the
average.
Record this on your table.
Measurement
Vital Capacity
Tidal Volume
1 st.
2 nd.
3 rd.
Average
(mls.)
Cigarettes contain many harmful substances. The most harmful
are tar,carbon monoxide and nicotine
Carbon monoxide is a posionous gas found in cigarette smoke.
It can be absorbed by your red blood cells , instead of oxygen.
This starves your body of oxygen .
Tar collects in the lungs and causes lung cancer.
Nicotine is addictive like a drug making it very difficult for
smokers to stop.
Alcohol is made by the action of yeast on sugar solution.
Different alcoholic drinks have a different percentage of alcohol.
Drink
% of alcohol
Beer
4
cider
5
wine
11
whisky
40
brandy
40
rum
40
port
19
sherry
17
The effects of alcohol long term are harmful.
Alcohol is a depressant drug and even in small amounts can
slow down the brain.
Alcohol causes :
•Slow reactions
• blurred vision
•Impaired judgement
•Lack of co-ordination
Long term effects can be brain damage,strokes and liver
disease.
1 unit of alcohol is equal to 15 mg./100ml. of blood
The following measures contain 1 unit of alcohol :
Glass of wine
½ pint of beer
¼ gill of whiskey or any other spirit
Glass of sherry or port
It takes the liver an hour per unit drunk to breakdown the
alcohol in the blood.