Respiratory system

Question 1

Functions of the Respiratory system to do with respiration

Answer 1

-Conducts inpired, oxygen filled air to areas of gas exchanged and expels expired, CO2 filled air from body
-Exchanges oxygen and C02 between blood and tissues (glycolysis/krebs cycle)

Question 2

Functions of Resp. system other than respiration

Answer 2

-Olfaction: sense of smell
-Phonation: production of sound through larynx
-Thermoregulation: heats incoming air or pants to reduce heat
-pH regulation: maintains CO2 and O2 levels for this

Question 3

What are alveoli for

Answer 3

Gas exchange

Question 4

What are the components of the upper respiratory system

Answer 4

-Nose (with nostrils, nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses)
-Pharynx: passage between nose and throat
-Larynx: causal to pharynx and connects it to trachea
-Trachea

Question 5

What are the components of the lower respiratory system

Answer 5

-Bronchi: trachea divides into bronchi
-Bronchioles: branches off the bronchi
-Alveoli: air sacs for gas exchange
-Lungs: located in thoracic cavity on either side of mediastinum

Question 6

Passage of air through upper resp tract

Answer 6

1. Enters nostrils
2. Passes to nasal cavity, which has nasal chambers . This is filled with turbinates and ciliated epithelium which warms and moistens air and traps particles.

Question 7

Function of paranasal sinuses

Answer 7

Lightens bone structure and secretes mucous

Question 8

Functions of pharynx

Answer 8

-Prevents food entering nasal chambers
-Eustachian tubes enter it for pressure equalisation from the ear.

Question 9

Larynx function

Answer 9

Regulates flow of gases into resp tract and prevents foreign objects entering.

Question 10

Function of epiglottis

Answer 10

Seals off trachea during swallowing

Question 11

Function of vocal ligaments

Answer 11

Vibrate as air passes through, producing sound

Question 12

Function of trachea

Answer 12

-Allows passage of air into lungs
-Has ciliated mucous epithelium which traps foreign objects and removes them.
-Kept open by C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage.

Question 13

Differences between bronchi and bronchioles

Answer 13

-Bronchi are large tubes with cartilage rings
-Bronchioles branch off bronchi and have no cartilage rings. They have smooth muscle walls for dilation

Question 14

Alveolar gas exchange

Answer 14

1. Oxygen and CO2 diffuse between blood and lungs
2. Oxygen from inspired air diffuses across pulmonary membrane of alveolus into pulmonary capillaries.
3. CO2 from blood diffuses from capillaries into alveoli.
4. CO2 is excreted in expired air from lungs.

Question 15

Lungs

Answer 15

-divided into lobes
-pleural membranes secrete serous fluid to reduce friction

Question 16

What is the diaphragm

Answer 16

Dome shaped muscle separating thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Question 17

Breathing process: Inspiration

Answer 17

1. Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract
2. Thoracic cavity volume increases and pleural pressure drops
3. Lungs expand and air is sucked down trachea.

Question 18

Breathing process: Expiration

Answer 18

1. Diaphragm relaxes and dome shape is regained
2. External intercostal muscles relax and ribs drop downwards
3. Thoracic cavity volume decreases and pleural pressure rises.
4. Lungs contract and air is pushed out of trachea.

Question 20

What is tidal volume

Answer 20

Amount of air that passes in and out of lungs during each respiration

Question 21

What is Residual volume

Answer 21

Lungs are always inflated to prevent collapse

Question 22

What is inspiratory reserve

Answer 22

More air is inhaled than usual

Question 23

What is total lung capacity

Answer 23

Sum of residual, expiratory reserve, inspiratory reserve and tidal volumes