Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Human Bio 2021 > CH 4 The Respiratory System allows gas exchange > Flashcards

CH 4 The Respiratory System allows gas exchange Flashcards

1
Q

What is the respiratory system?

A

The system specialied to facilitate the intake of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the pharynx?

A

The throat and it joins the mouth cavity and the oesophagus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the oesophagus?

A

The tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the epiglotis?

A

A cartilage flap at the base of the pharynx that covers the trachea during swallowing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the larynx?

A

The structure at the top of the trachea that contains the vocal cords

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are vocal cords?

A

Membranes in the larynx that vibrates to produce sound

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the trachea?

A

The tube that takes air from the throat to the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the parts of the bronchi?

A

Primary bronchi, Secondary bronchi and Tertiary bronchi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the parts of the bronicholes?

A

Bronchiole and Terminal bronchioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the pleura?

A

A membrane covering the surface of the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is pleural fluid?

A

A thin layer of fluid within the pleura that allows the lungs to move during breathing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are alveoli?

A

Air sacs in the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is ventilation?

A

The process of inhalation and exhalation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is inspiration?

A

Breathing in

  • decreased air pressure inside the lungs by increasing volume in the lungs
  • External intercostal muscles contract & internal intercostal muscles relax to lift rib cage up
  • diaphragm contracts to become flatter (this causes a largervolume and thus an area of low pressure)
  • Air enters the lungs moving from area of high pressure to low pressure
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is expiration?

A

Breathing out

  • increased air pressure inside the lungs by decreasing volume in the lungs
  • External intercostal muscles relax and internal intercostal muscles contract to lower rib cage
  • diaphragm relaxes to become dome shaped (this causes a smaller volume and thus an area of high pressure)
  • Air exits the lungs from an area of high pressure to low pressure
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is emphysema?

A

A disease of the lungs that damages the alveoli; caused by the long term exposure to irritants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is lung cancer?

A

Growth of a tumour in the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is pneumonia?

A

A lung infection that causes fluid and mucus to build up in the alveoli, causing difficulty breathing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

A

A lung infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is asthma?

A

An allergic condition that causes narrowing of the airways and difficulty breathing

21
Q

What is a bronchiole?

A

A very small air tube in the lung

22
Q

What is the concentration gradient?

A

A difference in concentration of a solution, often between the inside and outside of a cell

23
Q

What is the primary bronchi?

A

The first branching from the trachea, entering the left and right lungs

24
Q

What are pulmonary arteries?

A

The artery that takes blood from the heart to the lungs

25
What is the secondary bronchi?
The division of the primary bronchi taking air into each lobe of the lungs
26
What is the terminal bronchi?
The end of the bronchioles before they form alveoli
27
What is the tertiary bronchi?
The division of the secondary bronchi
28
Pathway of air through the nose, pharynx and larynx:
- air enters through nose and mouth. As air passes over the mucous membranes it is warmed and humidified - hair and mucous line the nose trapping debris preventing it from going into the lungs - air travels through the pharynx before it is diverted into the trachea by the epiglottis
29
Pathway of air through the trachea:
- made of c shaped cartilage rings that ensure air can pass through it - at the end it splits into 2 branches taking air into each lung - epithelial lining traps dust and debris
30
Pathway of air through the bronchi:
- cilia and mucous work together to trap and remove dust and other particles from airways
31
Pathway of air through bronchioles:
- control the flow of air to the lungs - expand when the body needs more oxygen - cilia and mucous present to protect the lungs from contaminants
32
Pathway of air through the lungs:
- the lungs contain the bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and capillaries - membrane called the pleura covers the surface of the lungs. - between these layers is pleural fluid which holds the lungs against the inside of the chest wall and allows them to slide when breathing
33
Explain the mechanics of breathing?
- for efficient exchange of gases between the blood and alveoli the air in the lungs must continually change - air flows from areas of high to low pressure - air flows in and out of the lungs due to these differences in pressure
34
What are 3 reasons the lungs are well suited to their gas exchange function?
1. The alveoli gives the lungs a huge internal surface area so that large amounts of gases can be exchanged in a short amount of time 2. Each alveolus is well supplied with blood vessels, so that as much blood as possible is close to the air in the alveolus. The continuous flow of blood helps maintain a difference in concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and air in the lungs 3. The membrane that forms the wall of the alveolus is very thin so that gas molecules do not have far to travel when moving in and out of the blood
35
Why is it important that the membrane of the alveolus be covered by a thin layer or moisture?
Because gases can diffuse in and out of the blood only when they are dissolved in fluid
36
Explain the process of gas exchange?
- the blood in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli is brought to the lungs by the pulmonary artery - this blood has been through the capillaries of the body so it is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide - oxygen dissolves in the moisture on the inside of the alveolus and diffuses through the membrane, walls of capillaries and into the blood (this is oxygen moving from high to low concentration) - carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood and into the air in the alveolus (this is carbon dioxide moving from high to low concentration)
37
How is the process of gas exchange maintained?
>a constant concentration gradient for oxygen and carbon dioxide between air in the alveoli and blood in the capillaries - a constant flow of blood through the capillaries - movement of air into and out of the alveoli as we breathe in and out
38
Describe the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in new air and new blood
New air- high in oxygen and low in carbon dioxide | New blood-low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide
39
Explain emphysema?
- caused by long term exposure to irritating particles in the air taken into the lungs - these irritating particles cause damage to the alveoli - they lose their elasticity and are replaced with fibrous tissue that may breakdown reducing the internal surface area of the lungs - because of the elasticity lost, the lungs are constantly inflated, breathing out no longer occurs passively - no cure and disease progression cant be stopped once lung damage begins
40
Explain lung cancer?
- mass of cells divides uncontrollably - clear research link between lung cancer and tobacco smoking, asbestos fibres exposure and other pollutants Eg. most common form starts in the walls of the air passages - inhaled smoke particles irritate the mucous membranes lining air passages resulting in the excessive production of mucous - cells at the base of the membrane begin to divide rapidly (tumour) and the accumulating mucous cant be removed (causing smokers cough) - the trapped mucous ruptures the alveoli resulting in emphysema
41
What is a tumour?
Cancerous growth which may spread to other parts of the body
42
What are 2 examples of lung infections?
1. Pneumonia | 2. Tuberculosis
43
Explain pneumonia?
- infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms - inflammation from the infection causes the secretion of fluid and mucous into the alveoli, reducing the amount of air they contain - decreases available surface area for the exchange of gases
44
Explain tuberculosis?
- an infection of the lung caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis - one of the top 3 infectious diseases causing death along with HIV/AIDS and malaria
45
Explain what lung infections do in the body?
- lung infections spread by tiny droplets - when infected people cough, sneeze or spit, the droplets of moisture containing the bacteria, virus or fungi can be inhaled by others
46
Explain asthma?
- causes difficulty breathing and the narrowing of airways This occurs due to: - smooth muscles contracting, narrowing the airways - inflammation causing the lining of the airways to thicken - mucous filling the airway, narrowing the tube
47
What are the triggers for asthma?
- respiratory infections - cigarette smoke - allergens - exercise, cold weather, smoke, some medications, stress...
48
What happens during an asthma attack?
- during an asthma attack the muscles surrounding the bronchioles go into spasm (involuntary contraction) - usually the irritation of the membrane lining the air passages cause the secretion of excessive mucous, restricting air movement - reduced volume of air going in and out of the lungs means that the exchange of gases is impaired and the blood does not carry the usual amount of oxygen

Human Bio 2021 (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions