Lung Cancer in Humans and the Rat Respiratory Systems
Rylee Coder
Biology period 4
May 19, 2013
Lung Cancer in Humans and the Rat Respiratory System The human respiratory system is very similar, if not practically identical, to the respiratory system of a rat. The only notable difference is the division of the lobes in human lungs. The left lung of a rat is composed of 1 lobe, while the right lung has 4 lobes. The right lung of a human contains 3 lobes and the left lung is composed of 2 lobes. Other than that (and some structural differences along with size) the human and rat respiratory systems work in the same way. (Rat Health Guide, 2012). A respiratory disease that humans (not rats) are known to obtain is lung cancer. To understand what lung cancer does, you must first understand how normal a human respiratory system should work.
The human body contains two lungs that are soft, made up of lobes, and protected by bones known as the rib cage. The lungs bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide from it. When a human breathes, air travels down the trachea and separates into either of the bronchi and continues into the lungs. In order to keep irritants out of the lungs, the nose acts as a filter to prevent large particles from entering. (American Thoracic Society) That is how normal lungs should work. Lung cancer is a very common, highly preventable, form of cancer. Lung cancer, like any cancer, is the uncontrolled division of cells. When lung cells divide abnormally, they can create two types of tumors. Benign tumors are not cancerous and are rarely serious. The other types of tumor, malignant tumors, are cancerous. (Ohio State University). Lung cancer may start in parts of the lungs like the bronchioles, alveoli, and the cells lining the bronchi. (American Cancer Society, 2013). Cancer cells can spread to, and destroy, healthy cells nearby. Cells in the lungs that are cancerous can spread to the lymph glands located nearby and to other parts of the body. Approximately 95% of people diagnosed with
Biology period 4
May 19, 2013
Lung Cancer in Humans and the Rat Respiratory System The human respiratory system is very similar, if not practically identical, to the respiratory system of a rat. The only notable difference is the division of the lobes in human lungs. The left lung of a rat is composed of 1 lobe, while the right lung has 4 lobes. The right lung of a human contains 3 lobes and the left lung is composed of 2 lobes. Other than that (and some structural differences along with size) the human and rat respiratory systems work in the same way. (Rat Health Guide, 2012). A respiratory disease that humans (not rats) are known to obtain is lung cancer. To understand what lung cancer does, you must first understand how normal a human respiratory system should work.
The human body contains two lungs that are soft, made up of lobes, and protected by bones known as the rib cage. The lungs bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide from it. When a human breathes, air travels down the trachea and separates into either of the bronchi and continues into the lungs. In order to keep irritants out of the lungs, the nose acts as a filter to prevent large particles from entering. (American Thoracic Society) That is how normal lungs should work. Lung cancer is a very common, highly preventable, form of cancer. Lung cancer, like any cancer, is the uncontrolled division of cells. When lung cells divide abnormally, they can create two types of tumors. Benign tumors are not cancerous and are rarely serious. The other types of tumor, malignant tumors, are cancerous. (Ohio State University). Lung cancer may start in parts of the lungs like the bronchioles, alveoli, and the cells lining the bronchi. (American Cancer Society, 2013). Cancer cells can spread to, and destroy, healthy cells nearby. Cells in the lungs that are cancerous can spread to the lymph glands located nearby and to other parts of the body. Approximately 95% of people diagnosed with