Respitory System Flashcards
What tubes branch of the trachea ?
Bronchi/Bronchus
Why is carbon monoxide smoke dangerous ?
Binds to haemoglobin causing less oxygen carried by red blood cells
What happens in exhalation ?
Diaphragm relaxes and arches up, intercostal muscles relax, volume decreases in thorax and pressure increases in lungs causing air to be drawn out
How are alveoli specialised for gas exchange ?
One cell thick = short diffusion distance
High concentration gradient
Lots of alveoli for high surface area
Function of pleural fluid ?
Stop lungs from sticking to ribcage
Function of trachea
Connects mouth to lungs
How does smoking lead to emphysema ?
Smoke damages alveoli = reduce surface area = gas exchange harder
Function of alveoli ?
Site of gas exchange
Function of ribcage ?
Protects lungs
Function of the diaphragm ?
Contracts and relaxes to change volume of the thorax
What happens in inhalation ?
Diaphragm contracts and flattens
Intercostal muscles contract
Ribcage moves up and out
Volume in thorax increases
Pressure in lungs decreases so air is drawn inwards
How does smoking lead to Bronchitis ?
Tar covers cilia and destroys it leading to mucus build up in lungs which damages bronchus and bronchioles
Function of intercostal muscles ?
Change volume in thorax to aid exhalation and inhalation
What happens to breathing rate during exercise ?
Increases as more oxygen is needed for aerobic respiration to release more energy for more muscles contractions
What tubes contain alveoli at the end of them ?
Bronchioles
