respiratory system Flashcards
structure of the respiratory system
1-trachea
air passes through the nose or mouth and then on to the trachea
structure of the respiratory system
2-bronchi
the trachea splits into two tubes called bronchi (each one is a ‘bronchus’)
the bronchi go to each lung
structure of the respiratory system
3-bronchioles
the bronchi split into progressively smaller tubes called bronchioles
structure of the respiratory system
4- alveoli
the bronchioles finally end at small bags called alveoli (each one is an ‘alveolus’) where gases are exchanged
structure of the respiratory system
nose/mouth trachea bronchi bronchioles alveoli (gas exchange)
the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles help the air to move in and out
breathing in
when you breathe in, the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract to move the rib cage upwards and expand the chest cavity. this decreases the air pressure in the lungs, drawing air in
the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles help the air to move in and out
breathing out
when you breathe out, the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax, moving the rib cage down and shrinking the chest cavity. air pressure in the lungs increases, forcing air out of the lungs the same way it came in.
gas exchange in the alveoli
where is gas exchanged and what do they look like
the respiratory system and cardiovascular system work together to get oxygen to the muscles and carbon dioxide away.
they do this by exchanging gases between the ALVEOLI and CAPILLARIES surrounding them
the alveoli look like little trees/broccoli coming off of the bronchioles
gas exchange in the alveoli
why are alveoli surrounded by lots of capillaries?
the alveoli are surrounded by lots of capillaries, giving them a large blood sholky to exchange gases with
gas exchange in the alveoli
properties of the alveoli
large surface area
most thin walls (so gases can easily pass through them)
gas exchange in the alveoli
what is diffusion
the exchange of gases happens through a process called diffusion
this means the gases move down a concentration gradient- from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration
what does oxygenated blood do?
delivers oxygen and collects carbon dioxide as it circulates around the body
how does deoxygenated blood become oxygenated?
deoxygenated blood returns to the heart and is pumped to the lungs
in the lungs carbon dioxide moves from the blood in the capillaries into the alveoli so it can be breathed out
oxygen from the air you breathe into the lungs moves across the alveoli to the red blood cells in the capillaries
the oxygenated blood returns to the heart and is pumped to the rest of the body.
the red blood cells carry oxygen around the body and deliver it where it’s needed (muscles)
deoxygenated blood to oxygenated blood
first step
deoxygenated blood returns to the heart and is then pumped to the lungs
deoxygenated blood to oxygenated blood
second step
in the lungs, carbon dioxide moves from the blood in the capillaries into the alveoli so it can be breathed out
deoxygenated blood to oxygenated blood
third step
oxygen from the air you breathe into the lungs moves across from the alveoli to the red blood cells in the capillaries
deoxygenated blood to oxygenated blood
fourth step
the oxygenated blood returns to the heat and is pumped to the rest of the body.
what do red blood cells do
red blood cells carry the oxygen around the body and deliver it where it’s needed e.g. the muscles.
what is tidal volume
tidal volume is the amount of air you breathe in or out during one breath
does tidal volume increase or decrease during exercise?
increase- you take bigger breaths when you exercise
what is inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)
IRV is the extra volume of air you can breathe in after taking a normal breath in
after a normal breath in, you can still breathe in more air.
what is the expiratory reserve volume (ERV)
ERV is the extra volume of air you can breathe out after a normal breath out
after a normal breath out you can still exhale more air.
why does your IRV and ERV decrease during exercise?
during exercise your tidal volume increases meaning your breathing in and out more air than usual. this means you can’t breathe in or out as much extra air therefore resulting in a lower IRV and ERV
why does your tidal volume increase during exercise?
to bring in more oxygen. this helps release extra energy in the muscles (during aerobic activity) and remove lactic acid from them which is produced during anaerobic activity
to breathe out the extra carbon dioxide produced during aerobic activity
