Mutualism

Mutualism.

Share fate of humans & plants
in the face of environmental challenges

introduction

The lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the chest. The trachea conducts inhaled air into the lungs through its tubular branches, called bronchi, which divide into smaller and smaller branches, finally culminating in the alveoli. This intricate network of airways is vital for the primary function of the lungs: gas exchange.

As urban areas and industrial activities expand, the emission of pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds is likely to increase. As gatekeepers of the air we breathe, lungs are incredibly resilient but also remarkably sensitive to environmental changes.

future RESpiratory system

Increased Lung Capacity

As atmospheric pollutants increase, humans may gradually develop larger lung capacities to absorb more oxygen and expel harmful substances. This could lead to future humans having proportionally larger lungs compared to modern humans.
Respiratory Tract Adaptations

The human body might gradually adapt to higher concentrations of air pollutants to mitigate irritation and damage to the respiratory tract. Adaptations could include increased mucus production and more active cilia.
Improved Filtration Mechanisms

Future humans may develop more effective lung filtration mechanisms to screen out fine particulates and harmful chemicals from the air, reducing their damaging effects on the lungs.

plant organ

While plants do not have respiratory systems like animals, they do engage in gas exchange and have protective mechanisms, and some of their structures perform functions that can be compared in a metaphorical sense to human respiratory system components.