BIM - Respiratory system Flashcards
What are the seven main parts of the respiratory system?
Nasal Cavity Pharynx Larynx Trachea Bronchi Bronchioles Alveoli
What is the importance of the seven parts of the respiratory system?
These organs allow for gas exchange between lungs and circulatory system
What is the function of the respiratory system?
It allows us to breathe and promote gas exchanges with the circulatory system. This is achieved through the alveoli having a large surface area
What happens during gas exchange?
Oxygen is transferred to the circulatory system where carbon dioxide is removed
What happens to the respiratory system during exercise?
When exercise is increasing, the depth off breath increases. This means that the number of alveoli used for gas exchange increases, allowing for a greater amount of oxygen to be circulated, as well as an increased rate of the removal of carbon dioxide
Why does breathing rate increase during exercise?
Breathing rate is increased, allowing for faster change of gas inside the lungs, increasing the amount of gas exchange per minute, and this allows for higher delivery of oxygen to oxygen-deprived muscles, and removal of carbon dioxide from the muscles
What is Inspiration (lung function)
Inspiration (inhalation) is the process of taking air into the lungs. It is the active phase of ventilation because it is the result of muscle contraction. During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts and the thoracic cavity increases in volume. This decreases the interalveolar pressure so that air flows into the lungs. Because air flows into areas with lower pressure from higher pressure areas
What is expiration (lung function)
Expiration (exhalation) is the process of letting air out of the lungs during the breathing cycle. During expiration, the relaxation of the diaphragm and elastic recoil of tissue decreases the thoracic volume and increases the interalveolar pressure. Because air flows into areas with lower pressure from higher pressure areas. Expiration pushes air out of the lungs.
What muscles are contracted during inspiration?
Diaphragm
Intercostals
Pectorals
Describe the process of inspiration.
As air comes into the body through the contraction of the diaphragm (resulting in a lower pressure), it is warmed by the blood vessels close to the surface, and moistened by mucus lining the walls. Furthermore, the mucus and hairs in the nasal cavity and throughout the whole respiratory system trap unwanted particles in the air. This air then travels down the bronchi towards the bronchioles, and finally the alveoli where gas exchange occurs.
Describe the process of expiration
Here, the body increases pressure (through the diaphragm relaxing) in the lungs to push air out of the lungs (Because air moves to places with less air pressure). Whilst this is occurring, the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles are kept open by cartilage to allow for air to travel through the airways.
What is external respiration?
Describes the exchange of gases between the air in the alveoli and the blood in the pulmonary capillaries.
Explain the process of external respiration in the human body
De-oxygenated blood travels in capillaries to the alveoli where carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood and into the alveoli, and then back through the bronchioles and bronchi to be expired. At the same time, Oxygen that has been brought to the alveoli through inspiration diffuses across the alveoli membrane, and into the capillaries with blood cells, thus oxygenating the blood.
This results in the oxygenated blood being taken away from the lungs, back to the heart where it gets pumped around the body for use, whilst carbon dioxide is expired into the atmosphere
What is internal respiration?
Internal respiration is the exchange of gases (as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the cells of the body and the blood
Internal respiration occurs between capillaries that encase cells, particularly muscle cells and the cell itself
Explain the process of internal respiration in the human body
(In relation to internal respiration between muscle cells) Oxygenated blood is brought to the muscle, where oxygen is taken out of the blood, and transferred to the muscle tissue (which is required for the muscle to function properly), during this process, carbon dioxide is taken out of the muscle cell and brought into the blood. The carbon dioxide is then taken to the lungs via the heart to remove carbon dioxide and receive oxygen again
