Respiratory System Flashcards
Identify the different parts of the respiratory system
nasal cavity oral cavity trachea bronchi bronchioles alveoli lungs intercostal muscles diaphragm
What type of epithelial tissue are found in the nose?
ciliated
Describe the process of inspiration
the diaphragm contract and goes down
the intercostal muscles contract a
which brings the ribs up and out
this creates more space inside the thoracic cavity
which reduces the air pressure inside the lungs, so air can rush in
Describe the process of expiration
the diaphragm relaxes and moves back up
the intercostal muscles relax
this brings the ribs down and in
which reduces the space inside the thoracic cavity
increasing the pressure in the lungs, forcing air out
What is gaseous exchange?
the movement of oxygen out of the alveoli in the lungs, into the surrounding capllaries, and carbon dioxide from the capillaries into the lungs via diffusion
What is diffusion
where a gas moves from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
Outline one role of air passages in the nose
- transfer air/oxygen into the respiratory system / carbon dioxide out
- filter out bacteria to prevent infection
- they contain hair and mucus to trap foreign bodies
Decsribe how alveoli are adapted to carry out their function
they’re small air sacs
where gaseous exchange takes place
they have a large surface area
the walls are 1 cell thick
so oxygen/carbon dioxide can diffuse across the membrane
they have a good blood supply to enable gaseous exchange
Explain the effects of smoking on the respiratory system
- tar prevents ciliar moving, which leads to increased infections
- this can lead to COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema
- nicotine causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels, so less blood can get to the alveoli for gaseous exchange
- smoking increases the risk of lung cancer and can exacerbate asthma
Identify 3 disorders of the respiratory system
Asthma
COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Pneumonia
What is asthma?
a lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties due to
the inside walls of the airways in your lungs becoming inflamed and swollen, and membranes in your airway linings may secrete excess mucus
What is COPD
the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties
- emphysema (damage to air sacs in the lungs)
- chronic bronchitis (long term inflammation of the airways)
What is Pneumonia?
the swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs, caused by a bacterial infection or virus.
