Respiratory System- Structure and Function

Question 1

Describe the pathway of air

Answer 1

Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, epiglottis, lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

Question 2

Describe the Nasal Cavity

Answer 2

We breathe air in. Hairs filter out dust

Question 3

What is the Pharynx

Answer 3

It’s the pathway for for and air

Question 4

Describe the Larynx

Answer 4

Known as the voice box, contains vocal chords

Question 5

Describe the Trachea

Answer 5

Known as the windpipe. It’s 12cm long. Rigid rings of cartilage to prevent collapse

Question 6

Describe the Epiglottis

Answer 6

Small flat out cartilage which closes over the top of trachea when you swallow food.

Question 7

Describe the lungs

Answer 7

Allow oxygen to be drawn into the body. The lungs occupy most of the thoracic cavity. They extend down to the diaphragm

Question 8

Describe the bronchi

Answer 8

Branch off the trachea and carry air to the lungs

Question 9

Describe the bronchioles

Answer 9

Small airways that extend from the bronchi. They connect bronchi to the alveoli

Question 10

Describe the alveoli

Answer 10

It’s the site of gaseous exchange

Question 11

Describe gaseous exchange

Answer 11

Where O2 is diffused through the alveoli into the blood capillary
Where CO2 is diffused from the blood capillary into the alveoli

Question 12

What are the characteristics of alveoli

Answer 12

• • 1 cell thick
• • Short diffusion pathway
• • Semi-permeable membrane
• • Good blood supply
• • Small in size, large in amount
• • Large surface area

Question 13

Describe the diaphragm

Answer 13

A flat muscle located beneath the lungs which supports the mechanics of breathing.

Question 14

What happens to the diaphragm when we inspire

Answer 14

It contracts and pulls down

Question 15

What happens to the diaphragm when we expire

Answer 15

Relaxes and rises into dome shape

Question 16

What are the internal intercostal muscles

Answer 16

They lie inside the ribcage. They draw the ribs down and in. Decreasing the volume of the chest cavity, forcing air out if the lungs when breathing out

Question 17

What are the external intercostal muscles

Answer 17

Muscles lie outside the ribcage. They pull the ribs up and out. Increasing the volume of the chest cavity and drawing air into the lungs when breathing in

Question 18

Describe gaseous exchange

Answer 18

When BR and Depth increases, air and O2 goes through gaseous exchange.
It occurs by diffusion between air in the alveoli and blood in capillaries surrounding their walls

Question 19

Describe the movement of CO2

Answer 19

Blood enters capillaries from the pulmonary artery. Here it has a lower O2 PP and a higher CO2 PP then the air in the alveoli

Question 20

Describe the movement of O2

Answer 20

It diffuses in blood via the surface of alveoli, through the thin walls if the capillary and into the bloodstream now oxygenated; it latches into haemoglobin. O2 moves from high PP to low PP