The Lungs - don't need Flashcards
What is the trachea:
A tube that leads to your lungs
How is the trachea adapted:
It has stiff rings of cartilage to prevent collapse
What are the bronchi:
They split the trachea into each lung
What are the intercostal muscles:
They pull the ribs upwards and out when breathing
What do the ribs do:
Protect the chest
What does the diaphragm do:
Causes air to be sucked into the lungs by lowering pressure and it separates the thorax and abdomen (The thorax is above the abdomen)
What are bronchioles:
Tubes that branch off the bronchi
What happens at the alveoli:
Gas exchange
What covers the surface of the alveoli:
Capillaries
Describe the movement of oxygen:
The oxygen enters the alveoli and diffuses from a high concentration through the wall. Then it enters the capillaries and oxygenates the red blood cells which have a low concentration
Describe the movement of carbon dioxide:
The carbon dioxide diffuses out of the plasma where there is a high concentration and into the alveoli before exiting the alveoli (where there is a low concentration)
What are the adaptations of alveoli:
They have thin walls, a large surface area, blood constantly moves (This keeps a difference in concentration so diffusion is faster), lots of capillaries, continually breathe, moist lungs which makes diffusion easier
Explain the effect of exercise upon the body:
When you exercise, you use more energy in your muscles so you breathe deeper and faster, respire more - carbon dioxide is a waste product of this and the energy goes to the muscles. The heart beats faster to circulate the oxygen around the body to be respired.
Define ventilation:
Air moving in and out of the lungs (breathing)
What happens when you breathe in:
The diaphragm contracts and moves down
The intercostal muscles contract so the rib cage moves up and out
This increases the volume of the thorax which decreases the pressure in the lungs so air is forced in
