Human Gas Exchange System Flashcards
Where does the human gas exchange take place?
Gas exchange takes place in the human thorax.
What is the human thorax?
The human thorax is a collection of organs and tissues in the chest cavity
What is the trachea?
The trachea is the windpipe. An airway that leads from the mouth and nose to the bronchi
What is the trachea lined with?
The trachea is lined with mucus
What does the mucus in the trachea secrete?
The trachea secretes Goblet cells and cilia
What is the purpose of the cilia?
The cilia sweeps microorganisms and dusts away from lungs
Describe the human lungs:
The human lungs are the central part of the respiratory system and there are two of them. The lungs are where gas exchange takes place.
What is the plural of bronchus?
‘Bronchi’ is the plural of “bronchi’s”
Where are the left and right bronchi located?
The left and right bronchi is located at the bottom of the trachea
Describe the left and right bronchi’s structure?
The left and right bronchi have similar structures but narrower
Where does the bronchi lead to?
The bronchi leads to the bronchioles
What are bronchioles?
Bronchioles are narrow tubes that are less than 1mm in size
What do the bronchioles do?
The bronchioles carry air from the bronchi to the alveoli
Why is it easy for the bronchioles to collapse?
The bronchioles have no cartilage due to their narrow structure so can easily collapse
What are the alveoli?
Alveoli are tiny sacs
What is the main site of gas exchange in lungs?
Alveoli
Why do alveoli have structural adaptations?
Alveoli have many structural adaptations, to enable efficient gas exchange
What are two adaptations of alveoli?
The alveoli has a large surface area to volume ratio and has thin walls
What is the capillary network?
The capillary network is a extensive network of capillaries that surrounds the alveoli
What is the exchange surface between the lungs and the blood?
The capillary network is the exchange surface between the lungs and the blood
What occurs during gas exchange?
During gas exchange, oxygen diffuses from alveoli into the capillaries. The carbon dioxide diffuses the other way, being exhaled
What is the trachea supported by?
The trachea is supported by rings of cartilage
What is the purpose of cartilage?
Cartilage prevents trachea collapsing when air pressure falls as you breathe in
What are tracheal walls made up of?
Tracheal walls are made up of muscle
