Body Systems: Respiratory System (Upper Respiratory Tract Anatomy)

Question 1

Earths atmosphere is made up of:

Answer 1

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% other gasses (CO2, H2O, etc).

Question 2

What is required for cellular respiration?

Answer 2

Oxygen.

Question 3

Breathing:

Answer 3

The movement of air from the environment into the body.

Question 4

Respiration:

Answer 4

Involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between cells and the environment.

Question 5

External respiration:

Answer 5

Exchange of gases between the lungs and the circulatory system.

Question 6

Internal respiration:

Answer 6

Exchange of gases between the circulatory system and tissues/cells.

Question 7

Order of events:

Answer 7

Breathing —> external respiration —> internal respiration —> cellular respiration.

Question 8

Adaptions for gas exchange (Small aquatic organisms):

Answer 8

In small aquatic organisms, gases diffuse directly between the environment and all body cells.

Question 9

Adaptions for gas exchange (In larger, more complex organisms):

Answer 9

In larger, more complex organisms, specialized respiratory structure are required.
-Must have thin walls.
-Must be kept moist.
-Must be richly supplied with blood vessels.
-Must have large surface area.

Question 10

Where is the respiratory tract located?

Answer 10

Deep in the body. Protected by muscular and bone structure called the thoracic cavity. (Means “chest plate” in Greek).

Question 11

Air enters the body through:

Answer 11

-The mouth.
-The nasal passage (paired nostrils): Serves to warm, moisten, and filter air. Contains cilia and mucus.

Question 12

Mucous:

Answer 12

Traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Helps filter our potential dangers to the lungs.

Question 13

Cilia:

Answer 13

Hairlike structure that moves trapped particles out of the nose.

Question 14

Pharynx aka throat:

Answer 14

Is a passageway for air in the respiratory system and food for the digestive system. Branches at the back of the throat into the trachea and the esophagus.

Question 15

Epiglottis:

Answer 15

-Epiglottis cartilage flap “trap door”. -Behind the tongue, in front of the larynx.
-Normally upright when breathing.
-Closes over the opening to the trachea, when a person swallows so food doesn’t enter the trachea.

Question 16

Larynx aka voice box:

Answer 16

-Cartilage, contains the vocal cords.
-Breathing —> large gap between the vocal cords.
-Talking —> muscles contract and vocal cords move closer together and vibrate to make sound.

Question 17

Larynx aka voice box continued:

Answer 17

-Different sounds = different tension of the ligaments as air passes by.
-Longer cords = lower sound.
-Shorter cords = higher sound.
-Puberty = cartilage of pharynx and vocal cords increase in size and thickness (more in males than females). Voice “breaking” in males due to fast growing cords.
-Inflammation of the vocal cords = lower frequency vibrations (deeper voice).
-Dehydration: Irregular movements result in voice cracks.
-Vocal cord lesions: Nodules can affect your vocal cord flexibility and size.

Question 18

Larynx aka voice box full:

Answer 18

-Cartilage, contains the vocal cords.
-Breathing —> large gap between the vocal cords.
-Talking —> muscles contract and vocal cords move closer together and vibrate to make sound.
-Different sounds = different tension of the ligaments as air passes by.
-Longer cords = lower sound.
-Shorter cords = higher sound.
-Puberty = cartilage of pharynx and vocal cords increase in size and thickness (more in males than females). Voice “breaking” in males due to fast growing cords.