Respiratory System

Question 1

Describe the Respiratory System

Answer 1

the organ system responsible for gas exchange in the body

Question 2

What are the main gases being exchanged?

Answer 2

Oxygen

Carbon Dioxide

Water Vapour

Question 3

What are the three levels that Respiration Occurs?

Answer 3

Cellular Respiration

Internal Respiration

External Respiration

Question 4

Describe Cellular Respiration

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Describe Internal Respiration

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Describe External Respiration

Answer 6

the exchange of gas between the blood and the air

Question 7

What are the two sites for entry and exit of gases?

Answer 7

The Nasal Cavities

The mouth

Question 8

Where do the Nasal Cavities and Mouth lead to?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Describe the Trachea

Answer 9

a large channel surrounded in cartilage rings to keep it open

The trachea leads to the Bronchi

Question 10

Describe the Bronchi

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Describe the Bronchioles

Answer 11

the bronchi branch into many bronchioles

bronchioles lack cartilage rings and have walls of muscle that change the diameter of the channels

Question 12

Describe Dilated Bronchioles

Answer 12

Dilated Bronchioles allow for air to flow rapidly

Question 13

Describe Constricted Bronchioles

Answer 13

Constricted Bronchioles prevent the flow of air

Question 14

Describe the Alveoli

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Describe Oxygen Concentration

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Describe the formation of Carbonic Acid

Answer 16

not all carbon dioxide leaves the blood through the alveoli, some dissolve into the plasma and react with water molecules to form Carbonic Acid

Question 17

Describe the Use of Bicarbonate

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Describe the importance of cleanliness in the respiratory system

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Describe the Function of the Epiglottis

Answer 19

the epiglottis is responsible for keeping the bronchioles free of solid debris

Question 20

Describe the Function of Nasal Hair

Answer 20

they block solid particles from reach the pharynx from the nasal cavities

Question 21

Describe Cilia

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Describe the Importance of Mucus

Answer 22

the cilia are covered in mucus which traps solid particles, removing them from the airway

Question 23

Describe Breathing

Answer 23

the process of transporting air into and out of the lungs

results from pressure differences between the environment and the Thoracic Cavity (chest)

Question 24

Describe Pleural Pressure

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Describe Inhalation

Answer 25

the decrease in pleural pressure when the volume of the thoracic cavity increases

causes the lungs to inflate with air

Question 26

Describe Exhalation

Answer 26

the increase in pleural pressure when the volume of the thoracic cavity decreases

causes the lungs to deflate and push air out into the environment

Question 27

Describe the Diaphragm

Answer 27

a muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavities

pleural pressure is controlled by the diaphragm

Question 28

What occurs when the Diaphragm is Relaxed?

Answer 28

When the diaphragm is relaxed, it forms an upwards arc that increases pleural pressure

Question 29

What occurs when the Diaphragm Contracts?

Answer 29

when the diaphragm contracts, it flattens, decreasing pleural pressure and drawing air into the lungs

Question 30

Describe how Hiccups occur

Answer 30

as muscles do, your diaphragm can twitch, (contract spontaneously)

when this twitch occurs, the diaphragm contracts and releases rapidly, causing air to rapidly enter and exit the body, this is known as a hiccup

Question 31

Describe the Larynx

Answer 31

located within the trachea

contains two special sheets of ligament (vocal chords)which vibrate as air passes by them, causing sound to be produced

depending on the tension of the vocal chords, different sounds are produced