Chapter 2 Respiration Flashcards
What is breathing?
Process of inhaling and exhaling air by the lungs
Explain step by step our breathing mechanism
Nostrils, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchus, bronchiole, alveolus
Explain what happens during the process of inhalation
-Intercostal muscles contract and pull the rib cage upwards and outwards
-Diaphragm muscles contract and pull the diaphragm to descend and become flat
-Thoracic cavity becomes becomes bigger and causes air pressure in t he thoracic cavity to decrease
-The higher air pressure outside forces air to enter lungs
Explains what happens during the process of exhalation
-Intercostal muscles relax and rib cage moves downwards inwards
-diaphragm muscles relax and curve upwards
- Thoracic cavity becomes smaller and causes the air pressure in the thoracic cavity to increase
- The higher air pressure pushes air out
Function on diaphragm
Controls air pressure in the thoracic cavity
Why can oxygen diffuse through the wall of the alveolus?
Air inhaled has a higher concentration of oxygen compared to the concentration of oxygen in blood
Oxygen + Haemoglobin
Oxyhaemoglobin
Is Oxyhaemoglobin a stable or unstable compound? Why
Unstable compound, it decomposes to realease oxygen molecules and change back into haemoglobin ( just like radioactive decay )
What is the formula for cellular respiration in human?
Glucose + Oxygen -> Carbon dioxide + water + energy
What are the adaptations of the alveolar structure?
Moist wall of alveolus
Surface area of alveolus
Thickness of the walls of alveolus and blood capillaries
How does the thickness of the wall of the alveolus affect the rate of diffusion
The walls are thin which increases the rate of diffusion of gases across the walls
What are the importance of the adaptations of alveolar structure?
Increase effiiciency and maximise the exchange of gases
Examples of harmful substances to the respiratory system
Cigarette tar
Carbon Monoxide
Sulphur Dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Dust, Haze and pollen
Downsides of cigarette tar
Kill cells in the air passage and increase production of mucus and phlegm
Where is carbon monoxide found?
Cigarette smoke and exhaust gases of motor vehicles
Downsides of carbon monoxide ( 3m )
Combines with oxygen to carboxyhaemoglobin which causes a shortage of oxyhaemoglobin and affects the amount of oxygen being transported
Where is sulphur dioxide found?
Combustion of coal
Downsides of sulphur dioxide
Irritates air passage causing difficulty in breathing and coughting
where nitrogen dioxide found?
Combustion of fuels
Downsides of nitrogen dioxide
Irritates the air passage and causes difficulty in breathing and coughing
What can haze, dust and pollen cause?
Asthma
Examples of respiratory diseases?
Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema and lung cancer
Symptoms of asthma
Shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing
Symptoms of bronchitis
shortness of breath and insomnia
