Respiratory System Flashcards
Functions of respiratory system
- To transfer oxygen to the lungs
- To transfer O2 through the process of diffusion, from the lungs to the blood
- Th transfer CO2 and other gases from the blood into the lungs, where gases are breathed out.
Function of mouth, nose and nasal cavity
Warms, filters and moistens incoming air
Function of trachea
Carries air from the throat into the lungs. It’s lined with a mucous membrane and tiny hairs called cilia
Function of bronchi
Branch off into left and right lungs
Function of bronchioles
Are smaller than bronchi and lead to alveolar sacs
Function of alveoli
Individual, hollow cavities contained within the alveolar sacs where gases are exchanged
Function of diaphragm
A broad band of muscle underneath the lungs, attached to the lower ribs and sternum
Inspiration during rest
External intercostal muscles contract gently pulling ribs up and out.
Diaphragm contracts pulling itself down.
Expiration during rest
External muscles relax so the ribs go down.
Diaphragm relax and moves up.
This pushes the waste product of CO2 out of lungs into the air.
Inspiration during exercise
External intercostal muscles and other muscles contract faster and more forcefully than at rest.
Diaphragm contracts and moves down more forcefully.
Expiration during exercise
Intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles contract pulling the rib cage further down thus forcing more of the waste product of CO2 out of the lungs into the air, this happens at a faster rate.
What is diffusion?
Gases diffuse down a concentration gradient from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
What is vital capacity?
The max amount of air you can exhale after maximal inspiration
What is minute ventilation and tidal volume?
Minute ventilation - the amount of air breathed in & out in one minute: tidal volume X frequency of breaths.
Tidal volume - volume of air breathed in & out for a normal breath
Short term effects of training on respiratory system
- Brain detects changes in the level of changes of CO2 present in blood during exercise, this increases breathing rate.
- In response the respiratory system send nervous impulses to the intercostal muscles and diaphragm, they work harder to expand the thoracic cavity to draw in more air.
Long term effects of optimal training on the respiratory system
- Intercostal muscles and diaphragm become more stronger improving vital capacity, therefore you get more O2 in with each breath enabling you to work harder for longer.
- Surface area for gaseous exchange increases because the alveoli get an increased capillary network, increasing diffusion capacity and allowing the alveoli get more O2
