Respiratory System Flashcards
A lack of oxygen at high altitudes can lead to what medical condition?
Due to the lack of oxygen altitude can lead to hypoxia which causes an increase in breathing rate and depth.
What is the name of the volume of air that can be forced out of the lungs after maximal inspiration AND amount of air left in the lungs
Total Lung Capacity (6 L)
Commonly known as the voice box
Has rigid walls of cartilage
Connects the pharynx to the trachea
Larynx
Tiny air sacs where gaseous exchange happens. There are about 300,000,000 in each lung
Alveoli
Small flap of cartilage that allows food to pass into the stomach and not into the lungs
Epiglottis
Explain what an increase of strength in the respiratory muscles will do?
Training will increase the strength of the muscles of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles meaning it will increase the chest cavity allowing more oxygen to be taken into the lungs, thus more energy.
What happens to our breath when we exercise?
Breathing rate increases (quicker breathes)
Explain what an increased in vital capacity will do?
Training will increase this meaning there will be a more efficient supply of oxygen to the working muscles, thus more energy.
The passing of air through the lungs in one minute is called…
Minute Volume
What is the volume of air that can be forced out the lungs after maximal inspiration?
Vital Capacity (4.8 L)
Describe the process of Partial Pressure/Altitude
Partial pressure tells us how much of a particular gas is present. Oxygen moves from
high pressure (alveoli) to low pressure (capillaries) until the pressure are equal
The greater the difference in gasses, the faster the rate of diffusion
At altitude there is less oxygen reducing the partial pressure
Because there is less oxygen available you have to work harder this can cause: shortness
of breath, dizziness and difficulties in concentration.
Which muscles lie outside the ribcage and draw the ribs upwards and outwards
External Intercostal Muscles
Name of the chamber in chest that is protected by the ribs and sternum
Thoracic Cavity
What is the process for Inspiration?
The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract
When the diaphragm contracts it flattens and the external
intercostal muscles raise the ribs upwards and outwards
This increases the area of the thoracic cavity
The increase in area reduces the pressure inside the lungs
compared to the outside
This causes air to enter the lungs
Name of the condition where the airways are restricted?
Asthma
What is the amount of air inspired or expired in a normal breath when the person is at rest?
Tidal Volume (0.5L)
What is the immediate response to the respiratory system after exercise?
- Increased Breathing Rate (quicker breathes)
- Increased Tidal Volume (deeper breathes)
The thorax increases in size to allow air to be taken in is called…
Inspiration
Name the accessory structure of the respiratory system from the top to bottom.
Cartliage rings (around trachea)
Section of Ribs
Intercostal Muscle (internal and external)
Diaphragm muscle
Fibrous region of Diaphragm
When exercise occurs, what do we need more off?
Oxygen, for energy production
Explain the Neural control of breathing
The contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles are responsible for
inspiration and expiration.
The contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles are controlled by
neurons
The neurons that control breathing come from the medulla oblongata which is
located in the brain
When we exercise the medulla oblongata with send impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to contract which speeds up breathing
What is responsible for involuntary functions such as breathing?
Medulla Oblongata
Branch off from the trachea and carry air into the lungs
Bronchi
Name the process by which a substance such as oxygen passes through a cell membrane either to get into the cell or to get out of the cell
Diffusion - it happens from an area where they are more concentrated to an areas where they are less concentrated.
For example - Low CO2 in alveoli/High CO2 in blood
How can breathing be controlled? (Or monitored)
Neural and Chemical Control
The thorax decreases in size to allow air to be forced out is called…
Expiration
Name the structure of the respiratory system from top to bottom.
Nasal Cavity
Mouth
Pharynx
Epiglottis
Larynx
Trachea
Lungs
Bronchus (Split into 2 Bronchi)
Bronchioles
Alveoli
What is the process for Expiration?
The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax the
internal intercostals contract
When the diaphragm relaxes and the internal intercostal
muscles contacts they lower the ribs downwards and
inwards
This decreases the area of the thoracic cavity
The decrease in area increases the pressure inside the lungs
compared to the outside
This causes air to leave the lungs
Name the three adaptations of the respiratory system to training.
- Increased Vital Capacity
- Increased Strength of Respiratory Muscles
The process of moving air in and out of the lungs is called…
Pulmonary Ventilation
What happens when you train at altitude?
Performance levels at altitude will reduce, however over a period of time your respiratory system will adapt to the
conditions
Elite athletes will train at altitude so their body adapts. Adaptations include an increasing in red blood cells and capillaries which will allow
more oxygen to be carried and diffused to the working muscles.
Residual Volume
Amount of air left in the lungs even after forced breathing out. Usually around 1.5 L
Small airways that extend from the Bronchi, about 1 mm in diameter and connect the Bronchi to the Alveoli
Bronchioles
Pulmonary Ventilation
The process of moving air in and out of the lungs
Which muscles lie inside the ribcage and draw the rubs downards and inwards
Internal Intercostal Muscles
Explain the process of an increased breathing rate
During exercise the demand for
oxygen increases
Carbon dioxide levels increase
Breathing rate increases to fuel the demand for oxygen
The more intense the exercise the greater the breathing rate
When we stop exercising breathing rate slows
Prior to exercise you may experience an anticipatory rise (adrenaline hormone increases) in breathing rate
Explain the Chemical control of breathing
Chemoreceptors are found in the heart (carotid artery and aortic arch)
These chemoreceptors pick up changes in chemicals fluctuations (carbon
dioxide)
When we exercise carbon dioxide levels increase, these chemical changes will
be picked up by the chemoreceptors in the heart, they will send signals to the
medulla oblongata which will speed up the heart through neural control. Thus, more oxygen is required and breathing rate increases.
What happens to our breath when we stop exercising?
Breathing rate decreases (slower breathes)
What is the name of the process by air is transported in and out of the lungs
Pulmonary Ventilation, or also known as, breathing
An organ which has a left and a right that allows oxygen to be drawn into the body
Lungs
Commonly known as the windpipe
Is surrounded by rings of cartilage
Branches into the left and right bronchi
Trachea
Hairs filter dust, pollen and other particles
Air is warmed and moistened
Nasal Cavity
What is located in the middle of your brain which is responsible for involuntary functions such as breathing, heart beat and sneezing?
Medulla Oblongata
Commonly known as the throat
Connects the nasal cavity to the larynx
Phraynx
Name the three adaptations of the respiratory system to training.
- Increased Vital Capacity
- Increased Strength of Respiratory Muscles
- Increased Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Diffusion Rate
Explain the process of an increased tidal volume
Tidal volume increases due to
the extra demand for oxygen
This allows more air to pass
through the lungs (pulmonary
ventilation)
This allows oxygen to be
delivered to the working
muscles through deeper breaths
Tidal volume increases during
both aerobic and anaerobic
exercise
During intense exercise minute
volume can increase by 15 times
Describe the process of Asthma
Asthma makes the bands around the airways contract and tighten so air cannot move freely in or out of the body phlegm can also narrow the airway further
Exercise can induce an asthma attack
Asthma reduces performance as it restricts oxygen getting to the working muscles
Exercise can benefit someone with asthma as it can reduce the effects by increasing respiratory muscles, vital capacity and the
oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion rate
Minute Volume
The passing of air through the lungs in one minute
Tidal Volume
Amount of air inspired or expired in a normal breath when the person is at rest. Usually at 0.5 L
A flat muscle located beneath the lungs and involved in inspiration and expiration
Diaphragm
Vital Capacity
The volume of air that can be forced out the lungs after maximal inspiration. Usually around 4.8 L
Explain what an increase of oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion rate will do?
Due to the increase in capillaries (capillarisation) there is an increase in efficiency of the
diffusion of gasses.
More oxygen can be delivered to the working muscles.
More carbon dioxide can be removed and exhaled.
What is the amount of air left in the lungs even after forced
breathing out
Residual Volume (1.5 L)
