Respiratory system Flashcards
What is the respiratory system?
The series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.
Explain the pathway of oxygen in our respiratory system?(4)
- oxygen enters through NASAL PASSAGE and MOUTH - nose filters/moistens the air
- air travels down TRACHEA (held open by cartilage rings) and divides into BRONCHI
- airways begin to narrow and branch off into smaller airways called BRONCHIOLES
- Finally oxygen reaches ALVEOLI where gas exchange occurs
What happens during external respiration - breathing)?
- O2 /CO2 are exchange in lungs
- O2 goes into blood stream
- CO2 is breathed OUT
What happens during cell respiration?
- O2 /CO2 are exchanged in haemoglobin
O2 goes from alveoli to CAPILLARIES (into red blood cells)
CO2 goes from capillaries to ALVEOLI - CO2 and waste is removed from tissue
Why does our breathing rate increase when we exercise?
- harder we work MORE ENERGY IS USED UP
- to create energy more O2 is needed to breaks down glucose in our system
- use more O2/ more CO2 /waste products are produced
- CO2 enters bloodstream from muscles
- increased need for O2 and to expel CO2 - increased breathing rate
what is gas exchange?
the process in the lungs whereby oxygen is delivered to the bloodstream while CO2 is removed from it ; takes place in aveoli.
Features of alveoli that maximise gas exchange ? (3)
- large surface area ( increased rate of exchange/diffusion of O2 Is quicker)
- Thin walls ( one cell thick) - gases pass through easily
- well ventilated - air can reach alveoli easily
what are intercostal muscles?
- muscles between ribs that rise/lower the ribs
what is the diaphragm?
- muscular ‘sheet’ at the base of the chest cavity dividing it from the abdomen
What happens to the ribcage, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, volume and pressure of the lungs when breathing in (inspiration)?
RIBCAGE : moves outwards/up
INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES: contract/lengthen
DIAPHRAGM: contacts and becomes FLATTER
VOLUME : Increases
PRESSURE: decreases
What happens to the ribcage, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, volume and pressure of the lungs when breathing out ( expiration)?
RIBCAGE : moves down/in
INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES: relax
DIAPHRAGM : relaxes and domes upwards
VOLUME : decreases
PRESSURE : increases
what is sub maximal activity?
- activity with a steady increase in workload/intensity working 85% of max heart rate
what is maximal activity?
- an activity where the intensity is constant throughout a short period of time
What is tidal volume ? What is it measure with and the units?
the volume of air you inhale with each breath during normal breathing.
Measured using a spirometer - (ml)
What is minute ventilation and the equation including units?
the volume of air in LITRES hat you breathe per minute
Tidal volume x number of breaths per min = minute ventilation (L)
