The Importance of Oxygen
Oxygen is an element (O2), and is a major part of life for all living things. Without, no one would be able to survive. Oxygen plays a major role in respiration and gas exchange. The major role of cellular respiration is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. We inhale oxygen from the air, and it travels to the alveoli, which are in our lungs. The alveoli's lining allows for the oxygen to diffuse into the blood stream. Carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli and is then exhaled. In cellular respiration, food is broken down into energy. Oxygen is used during the process in the mitochondria, which is the only place where food and oxygen can be combined. In humans, the lungs that we use are the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm. In the lungs is where you will find the alveoli.
(Class Notes)
Oxygen is an element (O2), and is a major part of life for all living things. Without, no one would be able to survive. Oxygen plays a major role in respiration and gas exchange. The major role of cellular respiration is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. We inhale oxygen from the air, and it travels to the alveoli, which are in our lungs. The alveoli's lining allows for the oxygen to diffuse into the blood stream. Carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli and is then exhaled. In cellular respiration, food is broken down into energy. Oxygen is used during the process in the mitochondria, which is the only place where food and oxygen can be combined. In humans, the lungs that we use are the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm. In the lungs is where you will find the alveoli.
(Class Notes)
Gas Exchange in the Asian Forest Scorpion
In scorpions, and all other arachnids, respiration is carried out in an organ called the book lung. The book lung is not related to human lungs, and consists of alternating tissue filled with hemolymph (blood for arachnids) and air pockets. Arachnids also contain trachea and vascular lamellae. Together these organs work to provide scorpions with successful gas exchange. In the process of respiration in scorpions, hemolymph (blood), carbon dioxide, and oxygen are diffused in a process similar to respiration in humans. [1]
In scorpions, and all other arachnids, respiration is carried out in an organ called the book lung. The book lung is not related to human lungs, and consists of alternating tissue filled with hemolymph (blood for arachnids) and air pockets. Arachnids also contain trachea and vascular lamellae. Together these organs work to provide scorpions with successful gas exchange. In the process of respiration in scorpions, hemolymph (blood), carbon dioxide, and oxygen are diffused in a process similar to respiration in humans. [1]