Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the formula for cellular respiration?
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
This equation represents the process where glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP).
What are the main reactants in the cellular respiration process?
Glucose and Oxygen
These substances are necessary for cellular respiration to occur.
What are the primary products of cellular respiration?
Carbon Dioxide, Water, and ATP
ATP is the energy currency of the cell, while carbon dioxide and water are byproducts.
Fill in the blank: Cellular respiration converts glucose into _______.
ATP
ATP is produced as a usable form of energy for the cell.
True or False: Oxygen is a product of cellular respiration.
False
Oxygen is a reactant, not a product, in cellular respiration.
What is the role of ATP in cellular respiration?
Energy currency of the cell
ATP provides energy for various cellular processes.
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
Contributes to homeostasis by providing for the exchange of gases - oxygen and carbon dioxide - between the atmospheric air, blood and tissue cells.
The respiratory system plays a crucial role in maintaining the body’s internal environment by regulating gas levels.
What is external respiration?
The processes by which oxygen from the atmosphere is brought into the circulation
External respiration involves the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide.
What is internal respiration?
The energy producing chemical processes which occur within the cells
Internal respiration refers to the metabolic processes that convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
What is external respiration?
The processes by which oxygen from the atmosphere is brought into the circulation
External respiration involves the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide.
What is internal respiration?
The energy producing chemical processes which occur within the cells
Internal respiration refers to the metabolic processes that convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
What is the first component of the respiratory system?
Nose
The nose serves as the entry point for air into the respiratory system.
Which part of the respiratory system follows the nose?
Pharynx
The pharynx functions as a pathway for both air and food.
What is the role of the larynx in the respiratory system?
Voice production and protection of the trachea
The larynx contains the vocal cords and helps to prevent food from entering the windpipe.
What structure serves as the windpipe in the respiratory system?
Trachea
The trachea connects the larynx to the bronchi.
How many bronchi are there in the respiratory system?
Two bronchi
The bronchi branch from the trachea into each lung.
What are the smaller branches of the bronchi called?
Bronchioles
Bronchioles lead to the alveoli where gas exchange occurs.
What is the primary function of the lungs in the respiratory system?
Gas exchange
The lungs facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Fill in the blank: The __________ connects the larynx to the bronchi.
Trachea
The trachea is also known as the windpipe.
True or False: The pharynx is only involved in respiration.
False
The pharynx is involved in both respiration and digestion.
What is the main structure that divides into the primary bronchi?
Trachea
The trachea branches into the left and right primary bronchi.
What are the branches of the bronchial tree in order from largest to smallest?
- Primary bronchi
- Secondary bronchi
- Tertiary bronchi
- Bronchioles
- Terminal bronchioles
These branches represent the hierarchical structure of the bronchial tree.
Fill in the blank: The _______ pleura covers the lungs directly.
[Visceral pleura]
Fill in the blank: The _______ pleura lines the thoracic cavity.
[Parietal pleura]
What is the name of the space between the visceral and parietal pleura?
[Pleural cavity]
True or False: The carina is located at the junction where the trachea divides into the primary bronchi.
True
What is the sequence of the left bronchial branches?
- Left primary bronchus
- Left secondary bronchus
- Left tertiary bronchus
- Left bronchioles
- Left terminal bronchioles
This sequence illustrates the branching of the left side of the bronchial tree.
What is the term for the smallest branches of the bronchial tree?
[Terminal bronchioles]
Which bronchus is typically larger, the left or right primary bronchus?
[Right primary bronchus]
What is the first step in the passage of air through the respiratory system?
Enters nasal passage and oral cavity
This is the initial point where air enters the respiratory system.
After entering the nasal passage and oral cavity, where does the air travel next?
Travels down pharynx and larynx
The pharynx and larynx are crucial pathways for air to reach the lungs.
What happens to air as it continues its passage through the respiratory system?
It is moistened and warmed
This process helps protect the epithelial cells lining the respiratory system.
What reflex protects against food inhalation?
Cough reflex
The cough reflex is essential for preventing aspiration of food into the lungs.
What structure opens and closes to protect against food inhalation?
Epiglottis
The epiglottis acts as a flap that prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing.
Which nerve controls the cough reflex?
Vagus nerve
The vagus nerve plays a significant role in autonomic control of the cough reflex.
What are cilia in the respiratory system?
Little hairs that act as a filter system
Cilia help trap and expel particles and pathogens from the respiratory tract.
What role do mucous membranes play in the respiratory system?
Barrier helping the filtering
Mucous membranes trap dust and microbes, aiding in respiratory protection.
What are macrophages in the context of the respiratory system?
Big cells eating particles of dirt or bacteria
Macrophages are immune cells that help clean the respiratory system by engulfing pathogens.
What branches from the trachea in the respiratory system?
Bronchi and bronchioles
What is the approximate diameter of bronchioles?
0.3 mm
What is the unique site of gas exchange in the respiratory system?
Alveolus
True or False: Other parts of the respiratory system are permeable to gases.
False
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the unique site of gas exchange.
alveolus
What are the blind ends of the respiratory tract called?
Alveoli
Alveoli are the terminal structures in the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs.
What surrounds the alveoli?
A network of capillaries
The capillaries facilitate the exchange of gases between the blood and the air in the alveoli.
What are the three main functions of the respiratory system?
- External respiration
- Defence against microbes
- Warming and humidifying
These functions are essential for effective gas exchange and protecting the body from pathogens.
What type of cells are involved in the defence against microbes in the respiratory system?
- Lymphocytes
- Plasma cells
- Antibodies
These components work together to identify and neutralize pathogens entering the respiratory tract.
What does the term ‘blind ends’ refer to in the context of the respiratory tract?
Dead end - nothing branches from them
This emphasizes that alveoli do not lead to further structures.
How are gases exchanged in the alveoli?
Through diffusion - passive process
This means that gases move from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration without the need for energy.
What is the primary function of gas exchange in the alveoli?
To absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide
How does oxygen enter the blood from the alveoli?
By diffusion from the air into the blood
What process allows carbon dioxide to be excreted from the blood?
Diffusion into the air from the blood
What is the role of capillaries in the alveoli?
To facilitate gas exchange between air and blood
Fill in the blank: The entrance to the _______ is where gas exchange occurs.
alveolus
True or False: Blood from the heart is involved in the gas exchange process in the alveoli.
True
What type of blood enters the alveoli for gas exchange?
Blood from the heart
What is the network of capillaries embedded in the alveolus wall responsible for?
Facilitating the exchange of gases
What are the two main circuits of the cardiovascular system?
Systemic & pulmonary circuits
The systemic circuit carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body, while the pulmonary circuit carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
What is the composition of exhaled air?
Lower in O2, higher in CO2
Exhaled air contains less oxygen and more carbon dioxide compared to inhaled air.
What is the main function of alveolar spaces?
Gas exchange
Alveolar spaces are where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and blood.
What type of cells are found in the alveolar epithelium?
Alveolar epithelial cells
These cells facilitate the gas exchange process in the lungs.
What do pulmonary arteries carry?
Deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
Pulmonary arteries transport blood that is low in oxygen to the lungs for oxygenation.
What are pulmonary capillaries involved in?
Gas exchange with alveoli
Pulmonary capillaries surround the alveoli and allow for the exchange of gases.
What do pulmonary veins carry?
Oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart
Pulmonary veins transport blood that has been oxygenated in the lungs back to the heart.
What do systemic veins transport?
Deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart
Systemic veins collect blood that is low in oxygen from the body tissues.
What do systemic arteries carry?
Oxygenated blood from the heart to the body
Systemic arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to various tissues throughout the body.
What is the primary role of the heart?
Pump blood throughout the body
The heart serves as the central organ of the cardiovascular system, maintaining circulation.
What occurs at systemic capillaries?
Exchange of gases and nutrients with body tissues
Systemic capillaries facilitate the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and the removal of waste products.
Fill in the blank: Alveolar spaces are involved in _______.
Gas exchange
This process is essential for respiration, allowing oxygen to enter the blood and carbon dioxide to be expelled.
True or False: Pulmonary arteries carry oxygenated blood.
False
Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Fill in the blank: The _______ carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Pulmonary veins
This is crucial for returning oxygen-rich blood to the heart for distribution to the body.
What is the function of the nasal cavity in the respiratory system?
Filters, warms, and moistens the air we breathe
The nasal cavity is the first part of the respiratory system that air enters, helping to prepare it for the lungs.
What role does the epiglottis play in respiration?
Prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing
The epiglottis is a flap of tissue located at the base of the tongue.
What is the purpose of the larynx?
Produces sound and protects the trachea against food aspiration
The larynx is also known as the voice box.
What is the trachea commonly referred to as?
Windpipe
The trachea connects the larynx to the bronchi of the lungs.
What are bronchioles?
Tiny airways that branch from the bronchi into the lungs
Bronchioles lead to the alveoli where gas exchange occurs.
What are alveoli?
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs
Alveoli are surrounded by capillaries for efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What is the primary gas exchanged in the alveoli?
Oxygen (O2) and Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Oxygen is absorbed into the blood while carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood.
What is the function of the pleura in the respiratory system?
Covers the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity, reducing friction during breathing
The pleura consists of two layers: visceral and parietal pleura.
What is the role of the diaphragm in respiration?
Contracts to allow inhalation and relaxes for exhalation
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle below the lungs.
Fill in the blank: The __________ carries blood from the heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary artery
This artery is essential for transporting deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
Fill in the blank: The __________ carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart.
Pulmonary vein
This vein is crucial for returning oxygen-rich blood to the heart for distribution.
True or False: The ribs protect the lungs and assist in the mechanics of breathing.
True
The rib cage expands and contracts to facilitate breathing.
What happens during the contraction of intercostal muscles and diaphragm?
The diaphragm flattens and the ribcage expands
This process is essential for inhalation.
What occurs to the pressure in the pleural cavity during inhalation?
Pressure in the pleural cavity drops
A drop in pressure allows the lungs to expand.
What effect does inhalation have on lung volume and pressure?
Lung volume increases and pressure decreases
This creates a vacuum effect that draws air into the lungs.
How does air pressure in the lungs compare to atmospheric pressure during inhalation?
Air pressure in lungs is less than atmospheric pressure
This difference in pressure is what allows air to flow into the lungs.
What happens to the rib cage during inhalation?
The rib cage expands as rib muscles contract
This expansion is part of the inhalation process.
What is the role of the diaphragm during inhalation?
The diaphragm contracts and moves down
This contraction increases the space in the thoracic cavity.
What occurs during the relaxation of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm?
Downward and inward movement of the rib cage
This movement is crucial for the process of exhalation.
What happens to the volume and pressure inside the lungs during exhalation?
Volume decreases; pressure inside the lungs increases and exceeds atmospheric pressure
This pressure difference is what drives air out of the lungs.
What is the result of increased pressure inside the lungs?
Air is expelled from the respiratory tract
This is a key component of the respiratory process, specifically during exhalation.
What happens to the rib cage during exhalation?
The rib cage gets smaller as rib muscles relax
This shrinkage is part of the process of reducing lung volume.
During exhalation, what movement does the diaphragm make?
The diaphragm relaxes and moves up
This upward movement assists in expelling air from the lungs.
