Respiratory System* Flashcards
Draw a diagram of the human respiratory (lung) system
complete with labels from edmodo
What are the parts of the respiratory system?
Epiglottis, oesophagus, larynx (voicebox), rings or cartilage, intercostal muscles, trachea (windpipe), rib, heart, diaphragm, bronchus, bronchiole, alveolus/i, pleura (pleural membranes)
What is another name for the trachea?
windpipe
What is another name for the larynx?
voicebox
How do we get our energy for metabolism?
By burning food in our cells (respiration)
How do we get fresh supplies of oxygen?
By breathing it in through our lungs
What is respiration?
the exchange of gases which takes place in the lungs and the enzyme controlled release of energy from food
How many bones are in the ribs
12 pairs
What are your lungs (along with the heart) enclosed between?
The ribs and the diaphragm (the thorax)
What is another name for the diaphragm?
the thorax
What else other than the lungs is between the ribs and the diaphragm?
the heart
What do the pleural membranes do?
Fluid here (the pleural membrane) reduces the friction between lungs and ribs.
What do the intercostal muscles do?
Move the rib cage up or down
Where are the intercostal muscles?
attached between the ribs
What is the diaphragm?
a sheet of muscle at the base of the rib cage
Where is the diaphragm?
at the base of the rib cage
Recite the passage of air in the lungs
Air enters the nose, travels down the windpipe, the bronchus and the bronchioles, to the alveoli. Each alveolus is covered in a net of thin-walled blood capillaries. The lining of an alveolus is only one cell thick.
What is each alveolus covered in?
each alveolus is covered in a net of thin-walled blood capillaries
How thick is the lining of the alveolus?
one cell thick
What in order are the parts of the respiratory system that air enters?
Nose, windpipe, bronchus, bronchioles, alveoli, capillaries
How does oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer from the alveolus to the bloodstream and vica versa?
Oxygen diffuses through the alveolus and capillary linings, and attaches to red blood cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide diffuses from the plasma into the alveolus.
What is diffusion?
Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration
What is diffusion?
Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration
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White blood cells in the alveoli can engulf bacteria and foreign matter.
What do white blood cells in the alveoli do?
White blood cells in the alveoli can engulf bacteria and foreign matter.
Where is mucus produced?
The lining cells of the nose, trachea and bronchi produce a sticky mucus that traps dust and germs.
What in the alveoli can engulf bacteria and foreign matter?
White blood cells
How have alveoli adapted for gas exchange?
They have a large surface area (90m squared) and their walls are elastic
Do alveoli have a large surface area?
yes (90m squared)
Is there a large distance between the air and the blood?
no
Is there a complete involvement of air and blood?
yes
Are the walls of alveoli elastic?
yes
What does inhaled air contain?
Oxygen 21%, Carbon dioxide 0.04%, Nitrogen 79% and some water vapour.
What does exhaled air contain?
Oxygen 16%, Carbon dioxide 4%, Nitrogen 79%, and extra water vapour.
How do the rib muscles and diaphragm know when to contract?
The brain sends them signals
What does the brain tell to breath?
the rib muscles and the diaphragm
What happens to the ribs and diaphragm when you inhale?
The ribs are pulled up and out and the diaphragm flattens downwards
What happens to the volume of the chest when you inhale?
The volume of the chest increases, so air pressure drops and more air is drawn into the lungs and alveoli
How is air drawn into the lungs when you inhale?
The volume of the chest increases, so air pressure drops and more air is drawn into the lungs and alveoli
Draw a diagram of inhalation including steps
now
What are the steps of inhalation?
The brain sends signals to the rib muscles and diaphragm to contract. The ribs are pulled up and out, and the diaphragm flattens downwards. The volume of the chest increases, so air pressure drops and more air is drawn into the lungs and alveoli.
What do red blood cells have in them?
haemoglobin
How much of the oxygen do red blood cells carry?
97%
Where is the oxygen carried in that is not being carried by the red blood cells?
The plasma
How much oxygen is carried in the plasma?
3%
How is oxygen transported in the blood?
Red blood cells carry 97% of the oxygen and the other 3% is carried in the plasma
What is carbon dioxide carried as in the plasma?
bicarbonate ions or as dissolved carbon dioxide
What is the majority of carbon dioxide carried by?
plasma
What is a small % of carbon dioxide carried by?
red blood cells
What does exhaling mean?
breathing out
What happens when you exhale?
The rib muscles and diaphragm relax, springing back to their original positions, so air pressure in the lungs increases, and air is pushed out from the alveoli
Draw an exhalation diagram with labeled steps
now
How is air pushed out from the alveoli?
air pressure in the lungs increases and the air is pushed out
where is carbon dioxide carried in?
most in the plasma as bicarbonate ions or as dissolved carbon dioxide and a small percentage by the red blood cells
what is another name for inhaling?
inspiration
what is another name for exhaling?
expiration
draw a diagram of gas exchange in the lungs and tissues.
now
Draw a table of the composition of air in the lungs
by % volume of inhaled and exhaled air
Is excess air saturated with water?
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What is the voice box otherwise known as?
the larynx
What is the larynx made of?
Two sheets of muscle that vibrate as the air passes between them and so we can produce sounds and speech, in co-operation with our tongue, mouth and teeth.
How does the larynx work?
Two sheets of muscle vibrate as the air passes between them and so we can produce sounds and speech, in co-operation with our tongue, mouth and teeth.
What way do we breathe?
Automatically by involuntary reflex action. It is controlled by medulla oblongata of the brain.
How is the rate of breathing decide? What is this an example of?
The rate of breathing is continually adjusted to meet the body’s needs (an example of homeostasis)
What is our breathing controlled by?
medulla oblongata of the the brain
How do we speak?
Two sheets of muscle that vibrate as the air passes between them and so we can produce sounds and speech, in co-operation with our tongue, mouth and teeth.
What is the role of the brain in breathing?
Mostly breathing rhythm is unconsciously set by the brain. We can voluntarily change the rate at which we breath. You can’t hold your breath forever. Your brain won’t let you.
How is breathing rhythm set?
Breathing rhythm is unconsciously set by the brain
Can we voluntarily change the rate at which we breath?
yes
Can you hold your breath forever? why?
no. your brain won’t let you
Name some breathing disorders and describe them
Asthma - inflammation and constriction of bronchi
Bronchitis - bacterial infection of the bronchi
Emphysema - destruction of alveoli
TB - elasticity reduced (bacteria)
Pneumonia - fills with fluid
What is asthma?
Asthma is a narrowing of the bronchioles due to some irritant (dust mite, pollen, cold virus) and so the sufferer finds it difficult to inhale enough oxygen.
What is emphysema ?
destruction of alveoli
What is TB?
Elasticity reduced (bacteria)
What is Pneumonia?
fills with fluid
what is bronchitis?
bacterial infection of the bronchi
how do you treat asthma?
Removing the offending agent can prevent it and treatment is by use of inhalers that dilate the tubes again.
How do you prevent asthma?
by removing the offending agent
What irritants can cause asthma?
dust mites, pollen, cold virus etc.
Why can’t people with asthma breathe?
The bronchioles are narrowed due to some irritant (dust mite, pollen, cold virus) and so the sufferer finds it difficult to inhale enough oxygen.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness
What are the causes of asthma?
Pollen, animals, smoke, dust mites, chemicals, exercise
How do you prevent and treat asthma?
Identify triggers - avoid and remove
Use specific drug treatments - Bronchodilators, steroids
What are receptors?
Receptors (nerves) in the medulla are sensitive to changes in the CO2 concentration of the blood.
What is the function of receptors?
Receptors (nerves) in the medulla are sensitive to changes in the CO2 concentration of the blood.
What happens in the respiratory system if we are exercising?
A rise in the CO2 levels in the blood results in the medulla sending impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, causing an increased rate of contraction and deeper inspiration
What does a rise in the CO2 levels in blood result in?
The medulla sending impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, causing an increased rate of contraction and deeper inspiration
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment within the body.
What does the medulla sending impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles cause?
an increased rate of contraction and deeper inspiration
Why is homeostasis necessary?
Homeostasis is necessary if an organism is to be independent of its surroundings, and if its metabolism is to function efficiently.
Why does your body and its individual cells need to be at just the right conditions?
To perform at their best
Where do a cell’s delicately balanced chemical reactions work best?
Within the narrow limits of temperature, pH, solute concentration etc.
What does your body and its individual cells need to perform at their best?
To be at just the right conditions
How do simple aquatic organisms obtain their food, water and oxygen?
Directly from the water that surrounds them
Give examples of simple aquatic organisms
Amoeba and seaweeds
What to more complex organisms carry?
their own internal sea inside them (tissue fluid) which is in contact with all the living cells in the body
What is the “internal sea” in complex organisms called?
tissue fluid
How do complex organisms compare to simple aquatic organisms which obtain their food, water and oxygen directly from the water that surrounds them?
their own internal sea inside them (tissue fluid) which is in contact with all the living cells in the body
What is tissue fluid in contact with?
all the living cells in the body
What can many organisms do, even when conditions in their external environment are changing?
control conditions of temperature, fluid balance and chemistry within themselves (their “internal environment”) even when conditions in their external environment are changing
What waste products need to be removed by homeostasis, how are they produced and how are they removed?
CO2 produced by respiration, removed via lungs
Urea produced by liver breaking down amino acids, removed by kidneys and transferred to bladder
Draw a diagram of body systems interacting in homeostasis.
with labels and arrows for intake and removal
What internal conditions need controlling by homeostasis and how?
Temperature - Increased by shivering, lost by sweating
Ion content - Increased by eating, lost by sweating and urine.
Water content - Increased by drinking, lost by sweating and urine
Blood glucose - Increased and decreased by hormones.
Why is homeostasis necessary?
Homeostasis is necessary if an organism is to be independent of its surroundings, and if its metabolism is to function efficiently
How do most homeostatic mechanisms work?
Most homeostatic mechanisms work by negative feedback, i.e. if there is a change away from the normal optimum value, action is automatically taken to reverse this change.
What is negative feedback?
if there is a change away from the normal optimum value, action is automatically taken to reverse this change.
What does temperature influence with regard to homeostasis?
Temperature influences the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions that sustain life.
What are endotherms? what is another name for them? give examples
Mammals and birds are endotherms (warm blooded): they have a fairly constant body temperature.
What special thing can warm blooded creatures do?
Operate in low temperature environments, as they can keep the rate of enzyme activity high.
What type of creature are most animals?
ectotherms (cold blooded)
what are ectotherms? what is another name for them? give examples
Most animals are ectotherms (cold blooded) - their body temperature varies with the external temperature, e.g. fish, amphibians, reptiles
What is an example of how homeostasis works in humans?
Control of body temperature is an example of how homeostasis works in humans
What is our normal core body temperature and how is our heat produced?
Our normal core body temperature is maintained at 37 degrees celsius, the heat being mainly produced from the liver during its metabolism.
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Muscles, skin and blood all play a role in controlling body temperature
Draw a diagram of the skin and how it controls temperature
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Name the parts of the skin
Sweat pore, sebaceous gland, hair, hair erector muscles, sense receptors, epidermis, dermis, arteriole, capillary network, venule, adipose (fat) tissue, sweat gland, sweat duct.
What happens if our temperature rises?
If our temperature rises, more blood flows close to surface of the skin and glands release sweat
What happens if our temperature drops what happens?
Blood flows beneath the adipose tissue, we stop sweating, our hairs stand up and we shiver
What is an example of how homeostasis works in humans? (water)
Control of body water levels is an example of how homeostasis works in humans.
Why is water important to living organisms?
Metabolism - it is a substrate (ingredient) in many reactions.
Medium for chemical reactions
Movement of materials in and out of cells
Transport system
Lubricant
Support
Temperature control
Dispersal of reproductive cells and seeds
How does being a land animal affect our water?
Being a land animal, we have a continuous need to conserve water.
How often must water be taken in and what must be done regarding its loss
Water must be taken in daily and its loss must be carefully regulated
How is water taken in?
Water is taken in as food and drink, and is also formed inside the cells during some reactions, especially respiration.
When is water formed in the body?
Inside the cells during some reactions, especially respiration.
How is water lost from the body?
Lungs - some water gets evaporated as we exhale from our warm, damp lungs
Skin - by evaporation from cells and through sweat
Intestines - in the faeces (undigested food)
Kidneys - in dissolving the poisons and wastes we wish to excrete from the body.
How is water lost from the lungs?
some water gets evaporated as we exhale from our warm, damp lungs
How is water lost form our skin?
by evaporation from cells and through sweat
What is the basic definition for faeces?
undigested food
How is water lost from our intestines?
in the faeces (undigested food)
How is water loss reliant on our kidneys?
the kidneys dissolve the poisons and wastes we wish to excrete from the body.
Do we have control over the amount of water lost each day from the lungs, skin or intestines?
no
What does osmoregulatory mean?
water control
continue
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