Lesson 2: Respiratory System: Structure and Function 1 Flashcards
what is the purpose of the respiratory system?
KEY- general function is to obtain O2 for use by the body’s cells and to eliminate the CO2 the body cells produce (air–> tissues, tissues –> air)
- for energy
- helps us talk, eat
- helps us regulate our temperature
what are the two types of respiration processes of the respiratory system?
- internal respiration
- external respiration
what is the difference between internal and external respiration?
- external is all the movement of O2 and CO2 outside of a cell
- internal is all inside of a cell once oxygen enters it
what is external respiration?
- refers to sequence of events involved in the exchange of O2 and CO2 between the external environment and the cells of the body (outside of the cell/extra-cellular)
- has four steps
what are the four steps of respiration?
- ventilation
- O2 and CO2 are exchanged between air in alveoli and blood within pulmonary capillaries by means of diffusion
- blood transports O2 and CO2 between lungs and tissues
- O2 and CO2 exchanged between tissues and blood by process of diffusion across systemic (tissue) capillaries
what is ventilation?
movement of air into and out of the lungs
where does oxygen start and go to in external respiration?
the atmosphere to the cell
what is the atmospheric oxygen concentration?
about 21%
what is the atmospheric CO2 concentration?
0.03%
why is the oxygen concentration lower in the air we breathe out than the air we breath in?
because the oxygen is now in our blood
- about 16% of the air we exhale is oxygen
what is a key component for successful external respiration?
the heart
- ex. if someone has heart issues, they will have respiratory issues
what are the steps of external respiration?
- inhaled oxygen from the atmosphere
- goes into the alveoli through ventilation from the lungs
- oxygen gets deep into the alveoli and diffuses into the bloodstream/capillaries
- blood moves down into the left side of the heart and then the left ventricle contracts and pushes the oxygen rich blood down to the tissue
- oxygen diffuses into the tissue cells
- internal respiration happens to create ATP and CO2
- CO2 diffuses out
- CO2 goes to the atmosphere
what carries deoxygenated blood?
veins
- CO2 enriched
what does the anatomy of the respiratory system consist of?
- respiratory airways leading into the lungs
- lungs (airways and alveoli)
- structures of the thorax involved in producing movement of air through the airways into and out of the lungs
what does the pharynx divide?
esophogus and larynx (vocal cords)
what blocks the airways when we swallow?
the glottis so that we can move food down the right passage
what does the larynx develop into as it moves down?
the trachea
what is the trachea covered with?
cartilage
what is conduction?
the movement of air
what begins the conducting zone?
the trachea
what does the trachea branch into?
the left and right bronchus
what are the types of airway branching?
bronchi –> bronchioles –> terminal bronchioles –> respiratory bronchioles –> alveolar ducts –> alveolar sacs
what airway branches are in the conducting zone?
bronchi –> bronchioles –> terminal bronchioles
- gas exchange does not occur here
where does gas exchange occur?
in alveoli
what are airways lined with?
smooth muscle
why is the pressure of the alveolus so low?
to ensure we have enough time for gas exchange and do not over-inflate the sacs
why is the inside of the airways lined with cilia?
to help protect against foreign things
what is coughing an attempt of?
removing foreign substances from our airways
why does our airways secrete mucus?
to keep our airways lubricated and trap particles
what ensures that each alveolar sac is properly inflated?
the pores of Kohn
why do we want to have so many capillaries surrounding the alveolar sacs?
because we want to maximize the surface area so more gas exchange can happen
where are lungs located?
in the thoracic cavity
- the thoracic cavity is an air-tight sealed space, shared with heart and blood vessels
where is the thoracic cavity?
from the collarbone to the bottom of the ribs
what contains everything in the thoracic cavity?
the diaphragm
What is the end of the conducting zone and the beginning of the respiratory zone?
Terminal bronchioles
