Respiratory System: Flashcards
What is the main function of the respiratory system?
The main function of the respiratory system is to facilitate the exchange of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the body and the external environment. The respiratory system ensures the delivery of oxygen to the body’s cells for energy production and the removal of carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism.
Write down the path of oxygen as it travels from mouth to mitochondria.
Mouth/Nose: Oxygen enters the body through either the mouth or nose during inhalation.
Pharynx and Larynx: The oxygen passes through the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box), which serve as initial air passages.
Trachea: The oxygen moves down the trachea (windpipe), a tubular structure that connects the throat to the lungs.
Bronchi and Bronchioles: The trachea branches into two bronchi, each leading to one lung. The bronchi further divide into smaller bronchioles, which penetrate deep into the lungs.
Alveoli: The bronchioles terminate in tiny air sacs called alveoli. Oxygen diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli into the surrounding capillaries.
Bloodstream: Oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells or dissolves in plasma, allowing it to be transported through the bloodstream.
Systemic Circulation: Oxygen-rich blood travels through arteries, arterioles, and capillaries to reach the body’s tissues and organs.
Cellular Uptake: At the cellular level, oxygen diffuses from capillaries into the individual cells, including those in the mitochondria.
Mitochondria: Oxygen enters the mitochondria, which are the energy-producing organelles within cells. Here, it participates in cellular respiration, combining with glucose to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and release energy for various cellular processes.
What path does CO2 go through as it moves from the blood vessels to the alveoli to the mouth?
As carbon dioxide (CO2) is transported from the blood vessels to the alveoli and eventually expelled through the mouth, it follows the following path:
Carbon dioxide diffuses from the body’s tissues into the capillaries, where it binds to hemoglobin or dissolves in plasma, forming bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in red blood cells.
The oxygen-rich blood carrying dissolved CO2 travels through the pulmonary arteries to reach the lungs.
In the alveoli, carbon dioxide is exchanged with oxygen. It diffuses from the blood into the alveolar airspaces due to the concentration gradient.
From the alveoli, the CO2 is then exhaled out of the body through the respiratory system, following the pathway of the bronchi, trachea, and mouth.
Overall, the process involves the transport of CO2 from the body’s tissues to the lungs, where it is eliminated during exhalation.
What organs are involved in breathing?
Lungs: The lungs are the main respiratory organs responsible for the exchange of gases. They are composed of bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli, where oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is expelled.
Diaphragm: The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located beneath the lungs. It plays a crucial role in breathing by contracting and relaxing, causing changes in the volume of the thoracic cavity and aiding in the inhalation and exhalation of air.
Trachea: The trachea, commonly known as the windpipe, is a tubular structure that connects the throat to the lungs. It allows air to pass between the mouth/nose and the bronchial tubes.
Bronchi and Bronchioles: The bronchi are airway passages that branch off from the trachea, leading to the lungs. They further divide into smaller bronchioles, which extend throughout the lungs and facilitate the distribution of air.
Pharynx and Larynx: The pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box) are involved in the initial passage of air from the nose or mouth. They also play a role in vocalization.
