Respiratory system Flashcards
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
Take in O2 and breathe out CO2
How much oxygen do we breathe in?
20%
How much oxygen do we breathe out?
16%
How much carbon dioxide do we breathe in?
0.04%
How much carbon dioxide do we breathe out?
4%
How many times a min do we breathe at rest?
14-16 times
What is VO2 max?
The amount of oxygen you can take in and use in one minute
What is tidal volume?
The amount of air we can breathe in and out in one breath
What is vital capacity?
The max amount of air that can be forced out of the lungs after taking in the biggest breath
How does increased tidal volume benefit sport perfomance?
A better tidal volume allows you to get rid of CO2 quicker and supply more oxygen to your muscles.
What are the components of the respiratory system?
Nasal cavity
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Primary bronchi
Lungs
Diaphragm
What happens when we breathe in?
Muscles across ribs contract to pull rib cage upwards (increase chest volume)
Diaphragm contracts
Air is sucked down the windpipe to the lungs
What happens when we breathe out?
Muscles across the ribs relax to lower the rib cage (decrease chest volume)
Diaphragm relaxes
Chest has gotten smaller so air is forced out of the lungs
What is oxygen debt?
When (working anaerobically) the demand for oxygen exceeds the supply. The only way to repay it is to stop exercising (can cause build up of lactic acid)
What is the equation for aerobic respiration?
glucose + oxygen –> energy + co2 + water
What happens during aerobic respiration?
Glucose and oxygen are brought to the muscles where respiration takes place and energy is released. Co2 and water are absorbed into the blood and then take away.
What is the equation for anaerobic respiration?
glucose –> energy + lactic acid
What happens during anaerobic respiration?
Your body does not have enough time to use the oxygen you are taking in so only glucose is used but it will release a toxin called lactic acid (because not enough oxygen is present to turn it into water/co2).
What happens in the nasal cavity?
Nostrils contain hair called cilia which moisten and warm the air
The mouth and nostril are separated by the palate (allows you to chew and breathe at the same time)
What is the epiglottis?
The epiglottis is a flap at the back of your throat which closes when you swallow to prevent food from entering the trachea
What does the pharynx do?
Allows food to go into the oesophagus and air into the larynx
What happens in the larynx?
This is where your voice is produced as air passes over your vocal chords
What is the trachea?
It is a large tube with rings of cartilage to keep it open and splits off into two bronchi
What do the bronchi do?
Branch out and connect to the left an right lungs
What do the bronchioles do?
Divide up into smaller air sacs called alveoli
What do the alveoli do?
They are surrounded by capillaries which carry oxygen in the blood around the body
Blood releases co2 into the alveoli which is transported out of the body
(Gaseous exchange)
