Breathing Flashcards
What do the intercostal muscles do?
The intercostal muscles contract causing the rib cage to move upwards and outwards.
When the intercostal muscles contract, what happens to the size of the chest cavity?
The chest cavity increases in volume.
What happens when the chest cavity increases in volume?
The air pressure inside the lungs fall, so air rushes in to fill the gap.
What happens when the intercostal muscles relax?
The volume of the chest cavity decreases causing air to be pushed out.
What are Alveoli?
Alveoli are tiny sacs within our lungs that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the lungs and bloodstream.
What three things do Alveoli have to enable them to get the oxygen that we breathe in and get rid of the carbon dioxide we don’t need.
Alveoli have a massive surface area, a moist lining that is only one cell thick and a very good blood supply.
What do the ribs do?
The ribs protect the lungs and heart.
What is the Diaphragm?
It contracts and expands when breathing. It relaxes when breathing out.
What do the Lungs do?
An organ to make sure gases are exchanged.
What is the Trachea?
A hollow pipe which allows gas exchange.
What is Emphysema?
Emphysema is a disease usually caused by smoking.
What three harmful things do cigarettes contain?
Cigarettes contain Nicotine, Tar and Carbon Monoxide.
What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is an addictive drug that raises the heart, narrows the arteries and so causes high blood pressure. This leads to heart disease.
What does the Tar in cigarettes do?
The Tar in cigarettes coats the lining of the lungs making them less able to take in oxygen. It also contains carcinogens which cause cancer.
Cigarettes also contain Carbon Monoxide. Explain.
Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas which joins up with red blood cells making them incapable of transporting oxygen
