What are the similarities and differences between a bird and humans respitory system and breathing methods?

Question

What are the similarities and differences between a bird and humans respitory system and breathing methods?

Answer 1

Respiration in birds is much different than in mammals.

Birds have a larynx, but it is not used to make sounds. Instead, an organ termed the "syrinx" serves as the "voice box."

Birds have lungs, but they also have air sacs. Depending upon the species, the bird has seven or nine air sacs.

Birds do not have a diaphragm; instead, air is moved in and out of the respiratory system through pressure changes in the air sacs. Muscles in the chest cause the sternum to be pushed outward. This creates a negative pressure in the air sacs, causing air to enter the respiratory system. Expiration is not passive, but requires certain muscles to contract to increase the pressure on the air sacs and push the air out. Because the sternum must move during respiration, it is essential that it is allowed to move freely when a bird is being restrained. Holding a bird "too tight" can easily cause the bird to suffocate.

Bird lungs do not expand or contract like the lungs of mammals. In mammalian lungs, the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in microscopic sacs in the lungs, called 'alveoli.' In the avian lung, the gas exchange occurs in the walls of microscopic tubules, called 'air capillaries.'

The respiratory system of birds is more efficient than that of mammals, transferring more oxygen with each breath. This also means that toxins in the air are also transferred more efficiently. This is one of the reasons why fumes from teflon are toxic to birds, but not to mammals at the same concentration.

Respiration in birds requires two respiratory cycles (inspiration, expiration, inspiration, expiration) to move the air through the entire respiratory system. In mammals, only one respiratory cycle is necessary.

hope that helps..

Answer 2

Difference: birds can constantly breathe in while breathing out, but humans have to breathe in, then breathe out.

Similarity: both use lungs