Intro to the respiratory system

Question 1

What are the 2 problems of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

1) Dehydration - for effective diffusion between atmosphere and blood
2) Air movement requires a pump

Question 2

What are the 4 main functions of the respiratory system?

Answer 2

• Gas exchange between the environment and blood
• Control of acidity in the body
• Filtering of the air that is inhaled
• Vocalisation

Question 3

What is the structural difference between the right and left lung?

Answer 3

The right lung has 3 lobes, whereas the left lung only has 2

Question 4

What is the pleural sac, and what does it do?

Answer 4

A double-walled enclosure of the lungs filled with fluid (pleural fluid).

This reduces friction from movement of surface of lungs

Fixes lungs firmly onto thoracic wall without any physical attachments.

Question 5

What are the functions of the ‘airways’?

Answer 5

• Warming up inspired air
• Humidification of dry inspired air
• Filtration of inhaled foreign materials

Question 6

What are ‘turbinates/conchae’?

Answer 6

Bony dividers that increase the surface area of the nasal cavity