Respiratory System Flashcards
Alveoli
Grape-like cluster of tiny sacs at the end of the bronchioles
Breathing
A physical process consisting of 2 steps: ventilation (movement of air in and out) and gas exchange (absorption of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide).
Bronchi
The two branches of the trachea
Bronchioles
subdivision of the bronchi (many tiny tubes)
Capillaries
Very small blood vessels. Involved in the exchange of gases and fluids, as well as warming up incoming air and liquid.
Carbon dioxide
CO2. One of the gases involved in the gas exchange. Breathed out.
Cartilage rings
Trachea is covered in them to prevent collapsing.
cellular respiration
metabolic (chemical) process where the body breaks down the oxygen, so the cells in the body can use it.
ciliated cells
Upper Respiratory Tract: they trap foreign particles and propel them to the back of the nose/throat so they can be expelled (sneezing/coughing).
concentration gradient
the difference in the number of molecules or ions of a substance in a given volume between adjoining areas
Counter-current flow
Water only flows over gills in one direction. This allows them to save energy and have the blood always having a lower O2 content than the water. This means that even while the blood is leaving the gills, it’s picking up oxygen from the water through diffusion.
Diaphragm
Muscle layer that separates thoracic cavity (chest) with abdominal cavity (lower).
Diffusion
when molecules or atoms move from an area of high concentration to low concentration
Epiglottis
Flap in the throat that prevents food from entering the trachea and lungs.
Esophagus
Leads to the digestive system. Shares space with the trachea.
Exhalation
Breath out
Expiratory Reserve Volume
additional amount of air expired from lungs with effort after normal exhalation
Gas exchange
Oxygen entering and carbon dioxide leaving cells.
Gills/gill membrane
gases are exchanged when water (containing O2) moves across gills and gill membranes. That’s how fish breathe.
Glottis
The middle part of the larynx; the area where the vocal cords are located.
Inhalation
Breath in. Inhaling air into lungs
Inspiratory Reserve Volume
maximal amount of air that can be brought in with effort with effort after normal inspiration.
Intercostal muscles
Muscles that contract and expand the ribs.
Larynx
voice box; houses vocal cords
Left bronchus
leads to left lung
left lung
2 lobes (to accommodate heart)
lobes
made of lobules, each with its own bronchiole.
lung
breathing organ
lung capacity
the oxygen volume capacity of your lungs
metabolic
chemical
mucus
moistens incoming air
nasal cavity
space inside the nose that contains the nasal passages. Where the air enters.
nostrils/nares
where the air enters, moving into the nasopharynx
oral cavity
the mouth.
oxygen
O2. Respiratory medium for mammals.
pharynx
connects mouth and nasal cavity to the esophagus
pleura
tissue surrounding lungs. Flexible and allows lungs to move, as it is connected to the intercostal muscles.
Pressure Gradient
Difference in pressure (high pressure to low pressure)
Residual Volume
The amount of air that remains in a person’s lungs after fully exhaling
Respiration
Process when oxygen is conveyed to tissues and cells
Respiratory efficiency
efficiency of gas exchange. getting rid of CO2 and inhaling O2.
respiratory medium
Air or water (medium used for breathing)
respiratory surface
The surface where the gas exchange takes place
respiratory system
System to deliver oxygen and remove carbon dioxide
right bronchus
leads to the right lung
right lung
3 lobes.
skin respiration
Respiratory gases diffuse in and out (ventilation) through contact with capillary vessels.
thoracic cavity
Chest cavity - above the diaphragm.
tidal volume
the normal volume of air displaced between inhalation and expiration without extra effort. approx. 500mL per inspiration for a healthy young adult.
trachea
Covered in rings of cartilage to prevent collapsing. Windpipe.
turbinate
thin bones that hang from the nasal cavity and are covered in a thin membrane that secretes mucus.
unidirectional breathing
air sacs surround the lungs. During inhalation, the air sacs fill and during exhalation, the lungs are filled and the cycle continues. The lungs are always supplied with new air with no lingering air. Birds, Crocs, and some lizards.
ventilation
movement of air in and out of respiratory systems
vital capacity
The maximum amount of air someone can expel after a maximum inhalation
