Respiratory System Flashcards
What is breathing?
Breathing is the term given to the process of taking air into and out of the lungs.
What are the two most important structures for breathing?
Two important structures for breathing are the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
What is the diaphragm?
The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that separates the chest (or thoracic) cavity from the rest of the body.
What is the intercostal muscles?
The intercostal muscles are found between the ribs and they control rib movement.
What is inspiration?
Breathing in
The diaphragm contracts and moves downwards. The intercostal muscles contract and move the ribs upwards and outwards. This increases the size of the chest and decreases the air pressure inside it which sucks air into the lungs.
What is expiration?
Breathing out
The diaphragm relaxes and moves back to its domed shape. The intercostal muscles relax so the ribs move inwards and downwards under their own weight. This decreases the size of the chest and increases the air pressure in the chest so air is forced out of the lungs.
What is diffusion?
Diffusion is the movement of gas from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
What is tidal volume?
Tidal volume is the amount of air breathed in with each normal breath. The average tidal volume is 0.5 litres (500 ml).
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
Inspiratory reserve volume is the maximum amount of additional air that can be taken into the lungs after a normal breath.
What is expiratory reserve volume?
Expiratory reserve volume is the maximum amount of additional air that can be forced out of the lungs after a normal breath.
What is residual volume?
Residual volume is the amount of air left in the lungs after a maximal out breath. This air helps to keep the lungs partially inflated to protect the microscopic structures from being damaged.
What happens to the breathing process during exercise?
During exercise, tidal volume increases as the depth of breathing increases and the rate of breathing increases too. This has the effect of taking more oxygen into the body and removing more carbon dioxide.
Where does gaseous exchange take place?
Alveoli
What happens during gaseous exchange?
Oxygen molecules attach too red blood cells
Carbon dioxide leaves the bloodstream
What is stroke volume?
Volume of blood pumped from the heart with each beat