Respiratory System Flashcards
Learning Target #5B
What is the purpose of the respiratory system?
The organ system that provides oxygen into blood and removes carbon dioxide from the blood and then the body
Where does air enter the respiratory system?
The mouth and the nasal cavity
Where does the air go after the mouth/nasal cavity?
Trachea
What is the structure and function of the trachea?
A structure supported by cartilage to open airway and prevent it from collapsing.
It contains many epithelial cells that have hair-like projections called cilia. Cilia help move mucus and filter out dirt and bacteria from entering the lungs
What structure comes after the trachea?
The bronchi, that lead into each lung.
What is the structure and function of the bronchi?
A structure supported by cartilage to open airway and prevent it from collapsing.
It contains many epithelial cells that have hair-like projections called cilia. Cilia help move mucus and filter out dirt and bacteria from entering the lungs
These structures lead into each lung.
When in the lung, each bronchi branch smaller and smaller until they become…
Alveoli sacs
What is the structure and function of an alveoli?
Tiny one cell thick sacks, used for quick gas exchange to/from bloodstream (specifically capillaries)
When in the alveoli, what gases are exchanged with the bloodstream?
Oxygen moves from alveoli to capillaries, Carbon dioxide (CO2) moves from capillaries to alveoli.
What are the alveoli sacs covered in?
Capillaries of bloodstream
What is the process called that allows gas exchange between the alveoli in lungs and capillaries of bloodstream?
Diffusion - movement of substance from high to low concentration
If CO2 in blood increases in the blood, what happens?
The brain tells the body to increase breathing
If CO2 in blood decreases in the blood, what happens?
The brain tells the body to decrease breathing
Is breathing an involuntary or voluntary action?
Involuntary
What is the muscle that makes the lungs expand or contract to allow movement of gases in/out of the body?
Diaphragm
