respiratory system Flashcards
what is the pharynx
area at the back of the throat with opening to the windpipe
what is the larynx
origin of vocalisation, found at the top of the trachea
function of the lungs
main respiratory organ in vertebrates, site for gas exchange
what is the trachea
tube connecting to the lungs, held open with cartilage rings; cilia wafts mucus from lungs
what is the bronchus
trachea separates into two tubes, one to each lung
what is the bronchiole
smaller branches coming from the bronchi, spreading throughout the lungs
what’s the alveoli
tiny air pockets with rich blood
what happens during inhalation
lung inflates, ribs move up and out, diaphragm contracts and flattens
what happens during exhalation
lungs deflates, ribs move down and in, diaphragm relaxes and curves up
where does gaseous exchanged occur
in the lungs in tiny sacs called alveoli
what is the function of haemoglobin in erythrocytes
loads oxygen at the lungs and unloads it at respiring tissues. Loads carbon dioxide at respiring tissues and unloads it at the lungs
where is haemoglobin found
in red blood cells
how many oxygen molecules does haemoglobin carry
4
what type of ions does haemoglobin contain
iron ions
what does haemoglobin transport around the body
oxygen
what is haemoglobin called when combined with oxygen
oxyhaemoglobin
where is myoglobin found
muscle cells
how many oxygen molecules does myoglobin carry
1
what is myoglobin called when oxygenated
oxymyoglobin
function of foetal haemoglobin
a foetus cannot use its lungs so relies on exchanging oxygen so relies on exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide via diffusion from its mothers blood.
what is the Bohr effect
as respiration rate increases, more carbon dioxide is produced which dissolves in the blood, forming carbonic acid. This lowers the PH of the blood, which cause haemoglobin to release more oxygen
