Interesting and Important Facts About Lungs Structure and Function
Lungs are one of the most vital organs, not only in the human body but in every mammal. A crucial part of your Biology curriculum, read this article to learn about the important facts of lungs and related ailments.
Lungs are of central importance in the human respiratory system. It enables gaseous exchange between both inhaled and exhaled air with that of blood.
Respiratory system facts indicate that the system as a whole and the lungs in particular
help to allow the oxygen present in the air to be taken within the body. It also releases waste of carbon dioxide into the air.
Parts of Lungs
Let us take a look at the structure of this organ before we move on to know more about
lungs.
Lungs are a pair of air-filled spongy organs that are located on both sides of the chest. The windpipe or trachea passes inhaled oxygen to lungs through fine tubular branches which are called bronchi.
The bronchioles end in minuscule air sacs known as alveoli. Inhaled oxygen undergoes absorption into the blood within the alveoli.
Lungs are also covered by a fine layer of tissue called pleura. It primarily acts as a
lubricant for the extraction and contraction of lungs with every single breath.
Functions of Lungs
Apart from enabling breathing, lungs perform other functions such as -
1. Lungs engage in filtering small blood clots and air bubbles.
2. It can act as a shock absorber for a heart in instances of mild collision.
3. The mucus that covers respiratory passages helps in trapping bacteria and dust particles.
4. Lungs also act as blood reservoirs which may vary from 500 ml to 1000 ml.
5. Airflow through the lungs enables speech.
Diseases of Lungs
1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A patient suffering from COPD experiences difficulty in exhaling, leading to shortness of
breath. The major cause of COPD has been found to be smoking.
2. Chronic Bronchitis: It involves frequent coughing with difficulty in breathing. Chronic Bronchitis is
a variant of COPD.
3. Asthma : Asthma may be triggered by air pollution, viral infections and allergies. It causes wheezing, shortness of breath, spasm and inflammation of the bronchi.
4. Pneumonia : Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria cause infection in the lungs.
5. Pleurisy : Pleurisy causes inflammation of the pleura, causing difficulty in inhalation.
6. Tuberculosis : Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes pneumonia to progress. Symptoms of tuberculosis include weight loss, fever, cough and night sweats, among others.
Importance of Lungs
Lungs are an important organ in our bodies that help us breathe
The air that we breathe in contains oxygen and we need it to survive
Lungs help in filtering out carbon dioxide from the body
Lungs also filter small blood clots
They can act as a shock absorber for the heart when it comes to collisions
They help in clearing mucus
They help humans speak
How to Prepare Notes on Lungs in Biology?
Students of Biology can read and prepare for Biology from Vedantu’s online tutoring platform. They can scan this note and then write down all the concepts in a sequential manner. They can take brief notes of what’s on the page and then write them as per their own understanding of the topics.
They can use bullet points, illustrations and coloured pens to mark key portions as highlighting the important parts makes it easier to go through them at the time of revision. They can then compare whatever they have jotted with what’s actually on the page for an overall analysis.
Did You Know?
One of the amazing fact about the respiratory system is that human lungs are not of
the same size. The right lung is larger than their left lung as this latter has to accommodate the heart.
Test Your Knowledge
I. Gaseous exchange between blood and inhaled air is known as -
(a) Circulatory respiration
(b) Internal respiration
(c) External respiration
(d) Cellular respiration
ii. Which of the following relates to a maximum volume of air that may be inhaled into the lungs with full force intake?
(a) Inspiratory capacity
(b) Total lung capacity
(c) Tidal volume
(d) Vital capacity
Solutions: i. (c) External respiration, ii. (d) Vital capacity
Learn more about lungs and other related topics through our online classes. You can also download a free pdf solution that will enhance your knowledge. You can now even download our Vedantu app for easier access to these notes and online interactive sessions.
FAQs on Facts About Lungs You Should Know
1. What are the lungs and what is their main function?
The lungs are a pair of spongy respiratory organs whose main function is gas exchange between the air and the blood. They help supply oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide.
- Located in the thoracic cavity on either side of the heart
- Take in oxygen (O₂) during inhalation
- Remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) during exhalation
- Work closely with the heart and circulatory system
2. How do the lungs work step by step?
The lungs work by moving air in and out of the body and exchanging gases in tiny air sacs called alveoli.
- Inhalation: The diaphragm contracts and air enters through the nose or mouth.
- Air travels down the trachea, into the bronchi, and then smaller bronchioles.
- In the alveoli, oxygen diffuses into nearby capillaries.
- Exhalation: Carbon dioxide diffuses into alveoli and is breathed out.
3. What are alveoli and why are they important?
Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where the actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
- Surrounded by a network of capillaries
- Have thin walls (one cell thick) for rapid diffusion
- Provide a large surface area for efficient gas exchange
- Essential for maintaining normal respiration
4. How many lungs do humans have?
Humans normally have two lungs, a right lung and a left lung, located in the chest cavity.
- The right lung has three lobes.
- The left lung has two lobes to make space for the heart.
- Both lungs are covered by a protective membrane called the pleura.
5. What is the difference between the right lung and the left lung?
The main difference between the right and left lungs is their size and number of lobes.
- Right lung: Larger and divided into three lobes.
- Left lung: Slightly smaller and divided into two lobes.
- The left lung has a space called the cardiac notch to accommodate the heart.
6. Why are the lungs considered spongy organs?
The lungs are considered spongy because they contain millions of tiny air-filled sacs called alveoli.
- Alveoli give the lungs a soft, elastic texture.
- The presence of air spaces makes them lightweight.
- This structure allows expansion and recoil during breathing.
7. What is the role of the diaphragm in lung function?
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that controls breathing by changing the volume of the chest cavity.
- Contracts and flattens during inhalation, increasing chest volume.
- Relaxes and moves upward during exhalation, decreasing chest volume.
- Helps create pressure differences for air movement.
8. What is lung capacity?
Lung capacity refers to the maximum amount of air the lungs can hold during breathing.
- Measured using a device called a spirometer.
- Includes tidal volume, vital capacity, and total lung capacity.
- Varies with age, sex, body size, and physical fitness.
9. What diseases can affect the lungs?
Several diseases can affect the lungs by interfering with normal breathing and gas exchange.
- Asthma: Narrowing and inflammation of airways.
- Pneumonia: Infection that inflames alveoli.
- Tuberculosis: Bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Long-term airflow obstruction.
10. How do lungs help maintain pH balance in the body?
The lungs help maintain blood pH by regulating the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the body.
- Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid.
- Increased breathing removes more CO₂, reducing acidity.
- Decreased breathing retains CO₂, increasing acidity.
- This works with the kidneys to maintain acid–base balance.
