Respiratory system Flashcards
1
Q
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
A
- To take oxygen from the air and get it to the bloodstream
- To remove carbon dioxide from the body
2
Q
What does the respiratory system consist of?
A
- Nostrils
- Nasal chamber
- Mouth
- Pharynx
- Epiglottis
- Larynx
- Oesophagus
- Trachea
- Bronchial tubes
- Pleural membranes
- Lungs (Bronchus, bronchiole, alveoli)
- Ribs
- Intercostal muscles
- Diaphragm
3
Q
What is the function of nostrils and mouth in the respiratory system?
A
- Nostrils bring in large amounts of air
- Mouth can bring air as well
4
Q
What is the function of pharynx?
A
- Pharynx is a passageway for food, water and air
5
Q
What is the composition of pharynx?
A
- Pharynx is divided by the soft palate into nasopharynx and oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx is the crossover point between the digestive and respiratory systems with 6 openings
6
Q
Larynx
A
- the voice box (Adam’s apple)
- sits on top of the thyroid gland
- provides vocalisation
- prevents material from entering the lungs
- there’s two vocal cords (muscles) stretched across - they vibrate when air rushes through them and this creates sound
7
Q
Trachea
A
- Large tube
- Made out of cartilaginous rings
- Splits into bronchi
8
Q
Lungs
A
- enclosed along with the heart, between the ribs and the diaphragm - thorax
- the ribs form a protective cage which consists of twelve pairs of bones
- the cage is moved up and down by the intercostal muscles which are attached between the ribs
9
Q
Lung structure
A
- three lobes in the right lung
- two lobes in the left lung
- pleura - thin sacs surrounding each lung lobe & separating lungs from the chest wall
10
Q
Bronchi
A
- Singular - bronchus
- Left and right
- Involved in conducting, cleaning and warming the air
- divide to bronchioles
11
Q
Bronchioles
A
- small branches of the bronchi tubes
- lead to alveoli
12
Q
Alveoli
A
- Tiny air sacs located in the lungs
- Gas exchange
- 700 milions in two lungs
- walls contain capillaries that move O2 and CO2
13
Q
Gas exchange in Alveoli
A
- oxygen molecules attach to red blood cells & travel to heart
- carbon dioxide is at the same time blown out by exhalation
14
Q
Adaptations of the lungs for gas exchange
A
- round not flat - large surface area
- Moist lining - allows gases to dissolve
- alveoli and capillaries have very thin walls
- contain a very good blood supply
- short distance between air and blood
15
Q
Types of respiration in animals
A
- Cutaneous respiration - earthworm
- Branchial respiration - fish
- Tracheal respiration - grasshopper
- Pulmonary respiration - crocodile
16
Q
Cutaneous respiration
A
- gas exchange occurs through the skin or outer integument instead of gills/lungs
- in some vertebrates the body surface has become highly vascularized for gas exchange
- e.g. amphibians and soft shelled turtles
17
Q
Branchial respiration
A
- intake of oxygen over a fish’s gills
- water enters the mouth and is passed over the gills
- allows a constant concentration gradient to form - this causes carbon dioxide to be exchanged for oxygen and respiration to occur
18
Q
Tracheal respiration
A
- the breathing occurs through the the system of air-filled tubes - tracheae
- tracheae open to the outside through small holes called spiracles
19
Q
Pulmonary respiration
A
- gas exchange of a crocodile similar to mammals
- trachea connects the mouth and lungs where air is in- and expired
- palate separates breathing and eating tubes - they can breathe while eating (epiglottis in humans)
- different palate prevents water flowing into the gullet
20
Q
Body surface respiration
A
- Sponges and jellyfish lack organs for gas exchange so they take in gases directly from the water
- Flatworms & annelids use their outer surfaces for gas exchange.
21
Q
Inhaling - Inspiration
A
- Breathing in
- The brain sends signal to the rib muscles and diagraphm to contract
- Ribs are pulled up and out
- Diagraphm flattens downards creating more volume
- Air pressure drops
- Air is drawn into the lungs
22
Q
Exhaling - expiration
A
- Breathing out
- Rib muscles and diagraphm relax back to their original positions
- air pressure in the lungs increases
- Volume of lungs decreases
- Air is pushed out