Respiratory System Flashcards
pharynx
the passageway just behind the mouth that connects the mouth and nasal cavity to the larynx and esphagus
trachea
the tube that carries air from the nasal passages or mouth to bronchi and then to the lungs; also known as the windpipe
glottis
the opening of the trachea through which air enters the larynx
larynx
the structure between the glottis and the trachea that contains the vocal cords
bronchus
the passageway that branches from the trachea to the lungs
alveolus
a tiny sac, with a wall that is one cell thick, found at the end of a bronchiole; respiratory gases are exchanged in this sac
hemoglobin
an iron-containing protein found in red blood cells, which binds to and transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body
every respiratory system shares two characteristics
must be big enough for the exchange of gas to occur at a rate that meets the needs of the organism
must take place in a moist environment so the oxygen and carbon dioxide are dissolved
4 kinds of specialized respiratory systems
skin, gills, tracheal, and lungs
skin respiration
ex. earth worms, leeches
skin is lined with many tiny capillary vessels that make contact with the skin surface all over the body
gases diffuse in or out of circulatory system
oxygen is carried through circulatory system
counter-current exchange
water flows in one direction (from front of the fish toward the back, across gills), while the blood is circulating in the opposite direction (back to front)
as much as 80% of the oxygen is taken up into blood, compared to about 50% in lungs
3 basic elements of lungs
moist respiratory surface
means of forcibly bringing air in contact with the lung surface
circulatory system to carry the gases between the lungs and the cells of the body
tidal volume
the volume of air inhaled and exhaled in a normal breathing movement
inspiratory reserve volume
the additional volume of air that can be taken in, beyond a regular or tidal inhalation
expiratory reserve volume
the additional volume of air that can be forced out of the lungs, beyond a regular or tidal exhalation
vital capacity
the total volume of gas that can be moved in or out of the lungs
residual volume
the amount of gas that remains in the lungs and the passageways of the respiratory system after a full exhalation
three factors that control breathing rate
carbon dioxide level, oxygen level, volume of air breathed
tonsilitis
caused by virus/bacteria
red and swollen tonsils, sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands
surgical removal
laryngitis
caused by infection/allergy, overstraining the voice
losing voice, speaking in a hoarse whisper, clears up on its own over a few days
pneumonia
caused by virus/bacteria
lungs become inflamed and fill with fluids, interferes w/ gas exchange, body becomes starved for oxygen
anti-viral medication, vaccine
bronchitis
caused by bacteria, regular exposure to concentrations of dust or chemical compounds or cigarette smoke
bronchi become red, inflamed and filled with mucus, which the person expels by coughing
antibiotics
asthma
caused by inhaled irritants such as pollen, dust, and smoke triggering inflammation of bronchi or bronchioles
wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, blocked/reduced airflow
INCURABLE - inhalers with medication that relax the bronchiole muscles, reduce inflammation and open the airways
emphysema
caused by smoking
exhalation becomes difficult b/c airways collapse during exhalation, trap air in lungs and block airflow
INCURABLE - inhaler to open bronchioles and low-flow oxygen tank to boost supply of oxygen to the body, stop smoking, avoid airborne irritants (dust, smoke)
cystic fibrosis
caused by a mutation of a single gene
lung infections, difficulty breathing because mucous clogs the lungs
INCURABLE - medicines that thin the mucus, antibiotics that reduce bacterial infections, gene therapy
carcinoma
caused by smoking tobacco, asbestos, radon, second-hand smoke
persistent cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, loss of appetite
radiation, chemotherapy, surgery
