Chapter 8 - The Respiratory System Flashcards
Label the respiratory system and describe what each part is responsible for
Nasal cavity - warms, filters and moistens air before it enters the lungs. Contains smell receptors and acts as a chamber for speech sounds. Hairs and mucus trap/prevent the contamination of dust.
Pharynx - air from the nasal cavity passes through here.
Epiglottis - a flap of tissue that when swallowing, closes off the trachea so food and liquid cannot enter the lungs.
Larynx - contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound.
Trachea - carries air to and from the lungs. It is lined with a mucous membrane and cells with cilia.
Bronchi - two primary bronchi branch from the trachea. They then divide into secondary and tertiary bronchi.
Ribs - the protective framework for the chest.
Intercostal muscles - muscles between the rubs that move the rib cage upwards and outwards to allow the lungs to expand.
Bronchioles - very fine tubes with walls of smooth muscle.
Alveoli - tiny air sacs that make up most of the lung. Well supplied with blood capillaries.
Lungs - occupies most of the chest cavity. Covered by a plural membrane and plural fluid that holds the lungs against the inside of the chest.
Diaphragm - the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. Contracts and flattens downwards.
Outline what gas exchange is
The alveoli is surrounded by capillaries that are attached to the pulmonary arteries. The blood that flows through these vessels have low concentration of oxygen but high concentration of carbon dioxide. However, when a person breathes in, the Alveoli are filled with high concentrations of oxygen and low concentrations of carbon dioxide. The oxygen and carbon dioxide then diffuse through the membrane into the alveoli and capillaries.
Discuss the mechanics of breathing
The process in which air is moved into and out of the lungs is called ventilation, or breathing. The process of taking air into the lungs is called inspiration, or inhalation. Increased lunch volume means that the air inside the lungs is slightly lower than the pressure outside.
Breathing out air is called expiration, or exhalation. This reduces the volume in the chest cavity and is mostly a passive process.
Explain 3 effects of choice of lifestyle and environment has on gas exchange
Emphysema - caused by long term exposure to irritating particles in the air. Emphysema occurs when irritating particles damage the alveoli so that they loose their elasticity and break down, giving the sufferer inadequate surface area for gas exchange and difficulty breathing. Emphysema cannot be cured the the progression of disease cannot be stopped.
Lung Cancer - a tumour grows in the lungs. Particles get trapped in the mucous membrane and result in the excessive production of mucus. Cells at the base of the membrane begin to rapidly divide. This often results in smoked cough because the mucus ruptures the alveoli (emphysema). The cancer can spread to other areas of the body.
Asthma - an allergic response to foreign substances that enter the body. During an asthma attack, the muscles that surround the bronchiole spasm and causes the narrowing of passages.
What some respiratory related lung infections?
Pneumonia - an infection in the lung caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other organisms which creates inflammation. The surface area for exchanging gases is reduced and a common symptom is having difficulty breathing.
Tuberculosis TB - one of the most dangerous lung infections in the world.
