The Human Respiratory System Flashcards
Label a structure of the respiratory system
…
Label a diagram of the alveolus
…
Explain the adaptations of the alveoli for gas exchange
Large surface area
Thin wall for easy diffusion/short diffusion path
Large difference in concentration
Moist surface
Explain the difference between breathing and respiration
Breathing is the movement of gases in and out of the lungs, muscles are involved
Respiration is the breakdown of nutrient molecules to release energy, takes place in all living cells
Where does gas exchange occur?
Lungs
What is the name of the two tubes that the trachea splits into?
Bronchi
What is the name of the smaller tubes that the bronchi split into?
Bronchioles
What is the diaphragm?
The sheet of muscle and tendon at the bottom of the lungs that controls breathing
What are the intercostal muscles?
The muscles found between the ribs involved in ventilation
What do the external intercostal muscles do when you inhale?
Contract
What do the external intercostal muscles do when you exhale?
Relax
What do the internal intercostal muscles do when you inhale?
Relax
What do the internal intercostal muscles do when you exhale?
Contract
What happens to the rib cage when you inhale?
It moves up and down
What happens to the rib cage when you exhale?
It moves down and out
What happens to the diaphragm when you inhale?
It moves down
What happens to the diaphragm when you exhale?
It moves up
What happens to the volume inside the thoracic cavity when you inhale?
Increases
What happens to the volume inside the thoracic cavity when you exhale?
Decreases
What happens to the pressure inside the thoracic cavity when you inhale?
It is lower than atmospheric pressure
What happens to the pressure inside the thoracic cavity when you exhale?
It is higher than atmospheric pressure
When you inhale air moves…
In
When you exhale air moves…
Out
What is the order of the pathway taken by air into the lungs?
Atmosphere ➡️ trachea ➡️ bronchus ➡️ bronchiole ➡️ alveolus
Describe how a human being breaths in
The diaphragm contracts and flattens in shape. The external intercostal muscles contract, making the ribs more upwards and outwards. These changes cause the volume of the thorax to increase. This causes the air pressure in the thorax to decrease. This decrease in pressure draws air into the lungs.
What is the pulmonary artery used for?
This carries blood from the heart to the lungs
Where is the thorax?
The centre part of the body protected by the ribs, which contains the lungs and heart
What and where are the intercostal muscles?
The small muscles between the ribs
What do the ribs do?
They are bones that help to support the thorax
Explain how the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm are used to ventilate the lungs (for breathing in and out)
When the diaphragm contracts it moves downwards and the lungs increase in volume as they draw in air. As the lungs expand the external intercostal muscles contract and the internal intercostal muscles relax. When you exhale the opposite happens. Pressure decreases and air is forced in.
Explain the biological consequences of smoking on the lungs and the circulatory system
Tar makes lungs black and sticky. Nicotine is addictive and increases blood pressure which over time damages blood vessels. Carbon monoxide can kill you and in large quantities is fatal. Long term smoking leads to emphysema which is when the alveoli are damaged causing shortness of breath. Tobacco contains carcinogenic which causes cancer.
What does carcinogenic mean?
Having the potential to cause cancer
