Respiratory System Flashcards
Describe the Respiratory System
the organ system responsible for gas exchange in the body
What are the main gases being exchanged?
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Water Vapour
What are the three levels that Respiration Occurs?
Cellular Respiration
Internal Respiration
External Respiration
Describe Cellular Respiration
the chemical reaction occurring at the cellular level (cristae at mitochondria) in which oxygen and sugar react with to produce water, carbon dioxide and ATP
oxygen + sugar —> water + CO2 + ATP
Describe Internal Respiration
the exchange of gas molecules across the walls of the capillaries
transports oxygen from the RBCs to the tissue and transports carbon dioxide from the tissue to the RBCs
Describe External Respiration
the exchange of gas between the blood and the air
What are the two sites for entry and exit of gases?
The Nasal Cavities
The mouth
Where do the Nasal Cavities and Mouth lead to?
both lead to a central cavity called the Pharynx
at the end of the pharynx, the air can either go to the trachea or the esophagus
Describe the Trachea
a large channel surrounded in cartilage rings to keep it open
The trachea leads to the Bronchi
Describe the Bronchi
Bronchi are the two main channels which lead to the left and right lungs
Bronchi also use rings of cartilage to keep the channels open
Bronchi lead to the Bronchioles
Describe the Bronchioles
the bronchi branch into many bronchioles
bronchioles lack cartilage rings and have walls of muscle that change the diameter of the channels
Describe Dilated Bronchioles
Dilated Bronchioles allow for air to flow rapidly
Describe Constricted Bronchioles
Constricted Bronchioles prevent the flow of air
Describe the Alveoli
very tiny bulbs wrapped in capillaries
one cell thick, just like the capillaries —> allows the gas molecules to pass across the membrane
found at the end of the bronchioles
location of external respiration
Describe Oxygen Concentration
gas exchange occurs based on oxygen concentration between the alveoli (lungs) and the RBCs (capillaries)
molecules go from high concentration to low concentration
high conc of oxygen in the alveoli and low conc in the blood causes oxygen molecules to move from the alveoli into the blood and bind to hemoglobin
when hemoglobin binds to oxygen it releases CO2, which travels out of the blood into the alveoli
Describe the formation of Carbonic Acid
not all carbon dioxide leaves the blood through the alveoli, some dissolve into the plasma and react with water molecules to form Carbonic Acid
Describe the Use of Bicarbonate
the body uses Bicarbonate as a buffer to limit the effects in blood pH from the carbonic acid
changes in pH can cause proteins to become denatured, which can be fatal.
bicarbonate ensures that as the concentration of carbon dioxide changes, the blood pH remains constant
Describe the importance of cleanliness in the respiratory system
the alveoli are so thin and vulnerable that it is important for the respiratory system to stay clean
solid particles entering the bronchioles and alveoli can cause scarring, which will prevent gas exchange or block air flow
Describe the Function of the Epiglottis
the epiglottis is responsible for keeping the bronchioles free of solid debris
Describe the Function of Nasal Hair
they block solid particles from reach the pharynx from the nasal cavities
Describe Cilia
tiny, hair like structures that line the outside of the nasal cavities, the pharynx and the trachea
constantly sweeping together in one direction, usually towards the stomach
cilia in the trachea sweep up towards the pharynx m
Describe the Importance of Mucus
the cilia are covered in mucus which traps solid particles, removing them from the airway
Describe Breathing
the process of transporting air into and out of the lungs
results from pressure differences between the environment and the Thoracic Cavity (chest)
Describe Pleural Pressure
the pressure in the thoracic cavity
named after the pleural membrane that lines the outside of the lungs and inside of the chest to seal off the cavity and prevent particles from entering or escaping
