Respiratory System Flashcards
What is respiration?
The taking in of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide
What does respiration include?
. Ventilation
. External respiration
. Transport of gases
. Internal respiration
. Cellular respiration
What is ventilation?
Getting air into and out of the lungs
What is external respiration?
Gaseous exchange between the lungs and blood
What is internal respiration?
Exchange of gases between the blood in the capillaries and the body cells
What is cellular respiration?
The metabolic precautions and processes that take place in a cell to obtain energy from fuels such as glucose
How is air passed down the body?
It is drawn in through the nose, and passes down the pharynx and larynx and down the trachea. It then moves through the right and left bronchus and as they move through each bronchus they (bronchus) subdivide into secondary bronchi and then into thinner structures called bronchioles. Finally these lead to alveoli
What is alveoli responsible for?
Exchange of gases between lungs and blood
How does the alveoli conduct its exchange?
Via diffusion, the movement of gas molecules from an area of high partial pressure to an area of low partial pressure
What are the structures of the alveoli that help its gaseous exchange?
. Walls are very thin (one cell thick) -> short diffusion pathway
. Extensive capillary network -> excellent blood supply
. Large surface area -> millions of alveoli in each lung allowing for a greater uptake of oxygen
What is the mechanics of breathing?
Due to air moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure via diffusion, the greater the difference in pressure, the faster the air will flow
During inspiration what should the pressure gradient be like between the lungs and the atmosphere?
The pressure should be lower in the lungs than in the atmosphere
During expiration what should the pressure gradient be like between the lungs and the atmosphere?
The pressure should be higher in the lungs than the atmosphere
What will increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity do the pressure in the lungs?
It reduces the pressure in the lungs
What will decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity do to the pressure in the lungs?
It increases the pressure in the lungs
During inspiration at rest what muscles are used?
Diaphragm and external intercostals
During inspiration during exercise what muscles are used?
Diaphragm
External intercostals
Sternocleidomastoid
Scalenes
Pectoralis major