Question

What are the functions of the lungs?

Answer 1

Lungs are the most important organs that are required to survive. As every cell that is present in the body requires oxygen and gathering oxygen that is present in the atmosphere is done by a process called breathing. This process of breathing is possible only in the presence of lungs in the body.

Complete Answer:
The lungs are major organs of the respiratory system. The respiratory system performs the important function of extracting oxygen from the atmosphere and transferring it into the bloodstream. The lungs are enclosed within a pleural sac. The pleural sac contains the pleural fluid which eliminates friction during the sliding of the inner and outer walls.
Pulmonary circulation facilitates the movement of blood between the heart and the lungs. Deoxygenated blood is transported to the lungs. The carbon dioxide from the blood is released and oxygen is absorbed into the blood. The oxygenated blood is then circulated back to the heart where it is pumped across the entire body. The functions of the lungs can be described as following:-
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.
6. The lungs also perform the function of release of carbon dioxide from the bloodstream into the atmosphere. This is the process of gaseous exchange.
7. A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that develops in the pulmonary arteries and stops the flow of deoxygenated blood into the lungs. A large increase in the pressure at the beginning of the pulmonary artery is called pulmonary hypertension.

Note:
The function of the lungs in the respiratory system is to carry oxygen from the atmosphere to the blood vessels and to release the carbon dioxide from the blood vessels into the atmosphere, in a process of gas exchange.