Respiratory System, Breathing & Respiration Flashcards
Alveoli
Small air sacs that are the site of gas exchange.
Bronchiole
Branch off the bronchi.
Bronchus
Branches off the trachea to bring air into the lungs.
Also supported by rings of cartilage.
Carbon Dioxide
Waste product made by the body’s cells during Respiration.
Diaphragm
A large Dome-Shaped sheet of muscle below the ribs
- separates the lungs from the abdominal cavity -
that aids breathing.
Lung
Organ where gas exchange occurs.
Nasal Cavity
Air is warmed and filtered as it enters the body.
Pleural Fluid
Fluid found in the pleural cavity (between the pleural membrane layers).
It further reduces friction during breathing
Pleural Membranes
Thin layers that reduce friction between the lungs and the inside of the chest wall during breathing.
Ribs
Protect internal organs of the thorax.
Thorax
Part of the body between the neck and abdomen.
Trachea
Brings air into the lungs.
Supported by rings of cartilage that prevent it collapsing.
Exhalation
The action of breathing out.
Gas Exchange
Occurs in the alveoli.
Inhalation
The action of breathing in.
During Inhalation
Oxygen diffuses from the Alveoli into the Blood
to be used for respiration by the body’s cells.
During Exhalation
CO2 diffuses from the Blood
into the Alveoli and is exhaled.
Respiration
Series of Exothermic Reactions - occur in mitochondria of living cells to release energy from food molecules.
Energy can be used to produce heat, for movement, growth, reproduction and active uptake.
Uses glucose and O2 to release energy organisms need, to live.
- CO2 is a by-product of respiration.
2 types of respiration - aerobic + anaerobic.
Adaptations of the alveoli
- Large surface area
- Thin walls
- Moist walls
- Permeable walls
- Extensive blood supply
- A large diffusion gradient
Adaptations of the alveoli -
Explained:
- Large surface area - many alveoli are present in the lungs with a shape that further increases surface area.
- Thin walls - alveolar walls are one cell thick providing gases with a short diffusion distance.
- Moist walls - gases dissolve in the moisture helping them to pass across the gas exchange surface.
- Permeable walls - allow gases to pass through.
- Extensive blood supply - ensuring O2 rich blood is taken away from the lungs and carbon dioxide rich blood is taken to the lungs.
- A large diffusion gradient - breathing ensures that the O2 concentration in the alveoli is higher than in the capillaries so O2 moves from the alveoli to the blood. CO2 diffuses in the opposite direction.
Adaptations of the alveoli -
Large Surface Area:
Many alveoli are in the lungs with a shape that further increases surface area.
Adaptations of the alveoli -
Thin Walls:
Alveolar walls
- one cell thick
- providing gases with a short diffusion distance.
Adaptations of the alveoli -
Moist Walls:
Gases dissolve in the moisture
helping them to pass across the gas exchange surface.
Adaptations of the alveoli -
Permeable Walls
Allow gases to pass through.
Adaptations of the alveoli -
Extensive blood supply:
Ensuring O2 rich blood is taken away from the lungs
and CO2 rich blood is taken to the lungs.
Adaptations of the alveoli -
Large diffusion gradient
Breathing ensures;
the O2 concentration in the alveoli is higher than in the capillaries so O2 moves from the alveoli to the blood.
CO2 diffuses in the opposite direction.
Respiratory Surfaces -
In Plants:
Gas exchange - occurs in spongy mesophyll cells that surround air spaces in the leaves.
Many spongy mesophyll cells - in contact with the air spaces; providing large surface area for gas exchange to happen.
Spongy mesophyll cell membranes - also thin, moist and permeable; aiding gas exchange further.
Respiratory Surfaces -
In Plants: Gas Exchange
Occurs in spongy mesophyll cells that surround air spaces in the leaves.
Respiratory Surfaces -
In Plants: (Many) Spongy Mesophyll Cells
In contact with the air spaces; providing large surface area for gas exchange to happen.
Respiratory Surfaces -
In Plants: Spongy Mesophyll Cell Membranes
Thin, moist and permeable; aiding gas exchange further.
Respiratory Surfaces -
In Plants: Simplified
Gas exchange
Many spongy mesophyll cells
Spongy mesophyll cell membranes