Respiratory System

Question 1

5 Functions of the Respiratory System

Answer 1

• brings air from the atmosphere into the lungs
• transfers oxygen into the blood
• removes carbon dioxide from the blood
• expels heat and water vapour in the air breathed out
• allows vocal cords to create speech as air is breathed out

Question 2

Pathway of air (conducting system)

Answer 2

• The nasal cavity – initial pathway for air from outside of the body, where air is warmed and moistened.
• The pharynx – air is further warmed.
• The larynx – this is where the vocal cords are situated, which results in air passing through the vocal cords and producing your voice.
• The trachea – also known as the windpipe in the passage to the lungs.
• The bronchi – trachea divides into 2 bronchi, each bronchus feeds into the lungs.
• The bronchioles - are further divisions of the bronchus.
• The alveoli – exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide occurs here and is surrounded by capillaries.

Question 3

Importance of the alveoli

Answer 3

essential as they pick up oxygen and release carbon dioxide

Question 4

What is the Pleura

Answer 4

The pleura covers each lung and provides optimal expansion and contraction of the lungs with no friction

Question 5

What is the Diaphragm

Answer 5

An involuntary muscle which contracts and relaxes to aid breathing, reducing and increasing the size of the chest cavity

Question 6

What is ventilation

Answer 6

The amount of air breathed in and out each minute

Ventilation= Tidal volume x Respiration rate

Question 7

What is inspiration

Answer 7

BREATHING IN
- The diaphragm contracts, moves downwards
- intercostal muscles contract
- chest cavity and lungs expand
- Air pressure is low

Question 8

What is expiration

Answer 8

BREATHING OUT
- Diaphragm relaxes and moves upwards
- chest cavity and lungs relax
- intercostal muscles relax
- pressure inside lungs is high

Question 9

Exchange of gas in the lungs (What is pulmonary diffusion)

Answer 9

Pulmonary diffusion is the gaseous exchange in the lungs

• Inhaled oxygen diffuses from the alveoli to the red blood cells in the capillaries to be transported around the body
• carbon dioxide diffuses from the red blood cells in the capillaries to the alveoli where it is exhaled

Question 10

Exchange of gas in the cells

Answer 10

• oxygen rich blood is transported to the muscles in response to the increase in demand for energy production
• at the site of muscle, concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide are reversed through diffusion

Question 11

Total lung capacity-

Answer 11

the amount of air that can be held in the lungs after maximal inspiration

Question 12

Vital capacity-

Answer 12

the maximum amount of air that can be expired after a maximum inspiration

Question 13

Tidal volume-

Answer 13

the amount of air inspired and expired after each breath

Question 14

Residual volume-

Answer 14

the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a conscious maximal expiration

Question 15

Inspiratory reserve capacity-

Answer 15

the amount of air that can be inspired in addition after a normal inspiration

Question 16

Expiratory reserve capacity-

Answer 16

the maximal amount of air that can be expired in addition to a normal expiration

Question 17

Maximum Oxygen Uptake (VO2 Max)-

Answer 17

=the maximum amount of oxygen per minute that can be taken in, transported to and used by working muscles

Question 18

Respiratory system responding to exercise (acute responses)

Answer 18

• Increased respiratory rate
• Increased tidal volume
• Increased ventilation
• Increased oxygen uptake
• Increased efforts form the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm