Gas Exchange
The respiratory system of a Snowy Owl is much like that of a human. Like all animals oxygen is necessary to survival. Oxygen is inhaled and oxygen is diffused into the bloodstream and then again into the cells where it turns into ATP allowing cellular respiration and provides energy.
In owls respiration plays a huge part in regulating body temperature, as well as providing oxygen to cells. Birds have small lungs, no diaphragm and nine air sacs. . These air sacks allow unidirectional flow through the lungs. "Unidirectional flow means that air moving through bird lungs is largely 'fresh' air & has higher oxygen content. So, in bird lungs, more oxygen is available to diffuse into the blood."[1] These air sacks are distributed around the body. Owls don’t have a diaphragm to help push air in and out of the bird, instead air is drawn in through pressure changes in the air sacs. Oxygen is diffused from the lungs -more specifically the capillary beds and alveoli-into the blood stream into red blood cells. These red blood cells travel along the veins and diffuse oxygen into cells (mitochandria) and become a key component in making energy. Carbon dioxide from the cells is diffused into the red blood cells and into the lungs to be exhaled.
In owls respiration plays a huge part in regulating body temperature, as well as providing oxygen to cells. Birds have small lungs, no diaphragm and nine air sacs. . These air sacks allow unidirectional flow through the lungs. "Unidirectional flow means that air moving through bird lungs is largely 'fresh' air & has higher oxygen content. So, in bird lungs, more oxygen is available to diffuse into the blood."[1] These air sacks are distributed around the body. Owls don’t have a diaphragm to help push air in and out of the bird, instead air is drawn in through pressure changes in the air sacs. Oxygen is diffused from the lungs -more specifically the capillary beds and alveoli-into the blood stream into red blood cells. These red blood cells travel along the veins and diffuse oxygen into cells (mitochandria) and become a key component in making energy. Carbon dioxide from the cells is diffused into the red blood cells and into the lungs to be exhaled.
DIFFUSION
As oxygen is diffused from air sacks and veins into cells as it travels from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.