The Respiratory system Flashcards
What is gaseous exchange?
The diffusion of gases between the environment and the cells of the organism and it occurs across a membrane.
Where does gaseous exchange take place
I’m the lungs where oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood. And also In the tissues where oxygen diffuses out of the blood into the cells and carbon dioxide diffuses from the cells into the blood.
What is breathing?
The physical taking in of air (inhalation) and letting out of air (exhalation)
What is cellular respiration
The chemical process whereby oxygen and glucose are used by mitochondria to produce carbon dioxide and water and release energy from food.
What does the respiratory system consist of?
The respiratory system consists of the nostrils, the nasal passages, the pharynx, the trachea, the bronchi, the bronchioles and the two lungs
What are the ways organisms can obtain the oxygen needed for cellular respiration
Plants obtain oxygen from the air through stomata in their leaves and then diffuse it into cells that need it. Many invertebrate and some vertebrate animals absorb oxygen through their skin. The gaseous exchange surface of terrestrial multicellular animals, like humans, is the alveoli in lungs.
What is another name for the respiratory system
The gaseous exchange system
What are the breathing passages lined with
A mucous membrane
What is the mucous membrane that lines the air passages used for
The sticky membrane secreted by the goblet cells traps dust and micro organisms in the air inhaled
What are cilia
Microscopic hairs on the cells that line the breathing passages. The beat rhythmically to bring mucous with trapped germs up from the lungs to the throat
What are the components that make up the upper respiratory system
The turbinate bones, sinuses, nasal cavity, hard palate, tongue muscles, bolus, epiglottis, larynx, trachea, c-shaped cartilage rings, oesophagus, uvula, buccal cavity, soft palate and the Eustachian tube opening
What are the components that make up the lower respiratory tract
Larynx, c-shaped cartilage rings, trachea, bronchi, heart, left lung, alveoli, bronchioles, ribs, pleural membranes, internal intercostal muscles and the external inter costal muscles
What is the function of the Eustachian tube opening
To equalise the air pressure on both sides of the ear drum
What is the function of the uvula
Prevents food from entering the nasal passages when you swallow
What is the function of the mouth/buccal cavity
Passage for foot and air to pass through
What is the function of the œsophagus
Passage for food that is being transported to the stomach
What is the function of the sinuses
A spongy bone
What is the function of the turbinate bones
Reduces speed of airflow. The mucous membrane warm the air and make it moist and then filter out bacteria and spores
What is the function of the upper jaw palate
A hard palate that has ridges to help with mechanical digestion
What is the function of the tongue
Mixes food with saliva, pushes food under the teeth, assists in swallowing and creates word formations when taking
What is the function of the epiglottis
Stops food from going down the trachea when swallowing
What is the function of the larynx
Holds the coal cords (voice box)
What is the function of the trachea
Airway that remains open for air to flow to and from the lungs
What is the function of the c-shaped cartilage rings
Keeps the trachea open at all times, the opening at the back allows the oesophagus to expand when food is swallowed.
What is the function of the bronchus
Trachea divides into two airways to take air to both lungs
What is the function of the heart
A pump to ensure that oxygenated blood is pumped throughout he body
What is the function of the lungs
Lungs provide a large, moist gaseous exchange surface
What is the function of the external inter coastal muscles
When they contract the chest cavity enlarges for inhalation
What is the function of the internal inter coastal muscles
When they contract the chest cavity gets smaller for exhalation
What is the function of the pleural membranes
Line the lungs and the ribcage along with the pleural fluid in between they prevent friction between the lungs and ribcage
What is the function of the pleural fluid
Prevents friction between the lungs and the rib cage during movement and breathing
What is the function of the ribs
Forms a protective cage for the lungs and heart
What is the function of the bronchioles
Tiny tubes taking air to the alveoli
What is the function of the alveoli
Provides a large internal surface area for gaseous exchange
Draw and label the process of gaseous exchange at the alveoli
Labelled -deoxygenated blood -oxygenated blood -thin layer of fluid -CO2 -O2 Capillary Alveolus Red blood cells
How are the lungs ventilated
During inhalation the ribs and sternum are raised and the diaphragm contacts and is pulled down. This increases the thorax volume. Air pressure in the thorax falls below atmospheric pressure, thus air moves from the atmosphere into the lungs. During exhalation the ribs and sternum fall and the diaphragm relaxes and is raised. This decreases the thorax volume. Air pressure in the thorax rises above atmospheric pressure thus air moves from the lungs into the atmosphere
What is the diaphragm
A dome shaped sheet is muscles below the ribs
What is the cause of emphysema
Mostly caused by smoking. It causes the folds between the alveoli to break down so the surface area is much reduced. This means less oxygen can be absorbed per unit time
What are the symptoms of emphysema
Shortness of breath, difficulty exhaling, wheezing, coughing
What is the treatment of emphysema
Stop smoking, use bronchodilation medication, use oxygen
What is the cause of lung cancer
80% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking and many others by second hand smoke. (Other causes include genetics, radiation therapy, air pollution workplace chemicals etc) Lung cancer forms when cells become abnormal, due to toxins and growths abnormally to form growths.
What are the symptoms of lung cancer
A cough that is persistent and worsens, a cough that produces blood, pain in the chest, back or shoulders, that worsens during coughing,laughing or deep breathing
What is the treatment for lung cancer
A combination of surgery to remove the cancer cells, and chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Lung cancer is incurable unless complete surgical removal of the tumour cells can be achieved
What are the causes of asthma
Caused by chronic inflammation of air passages, it is caused by a type of allergic reaction. This makes the breathing tubes or airways of the person with asthma highly sensitive to various triggers
What are the symptoms of asthma
Shortness of breath especially difficulty to exhale, cough and wheezing
What is the treatment of asthma
Stop smoking if you smoke. Do not stay indoors get fresh air and exercise. Use bronchodilation medicine for attacks
What is the cause of bronchitis
smoking, inhaling irritating fumes or dust, viruses, and bacteria. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways of the lungs
What are the symptoms of bronchitis
(Chronic) A cough that is persistent for most days of the month for at least three months and at least two years in a row. Painful cough, sore abdominal muscles, wheezing and shortness of breath.
What is the treatment of bronchitis
There a no cure, treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms. Medication may be prescribed including cough suppressants, bronchodilator inhalers, nebuliser treatments, corticosteroids and in some cases antibiotics
What are the causes of pneumonia
Most pneumonia is caused by a bacteria or virus. The body’s response to bacterial invaders is inflammation. When inflammation occurs in the alveoli, they fill with fluid. The lungs become less elastic and cannot take oxygen into the blood or remove carbon dioxide as efficiently as usual
What are the symptoms of pneumonia
High fever, shaking chills, yellow or brown sputum when coughing, chest pain which gets worse with coughing or breathing. The chest may also be sore when pressed on
What is the treatment of pneumonia
Treatment for bacterial pneumonia is antibiotics, fluid hydration, anti fever medication, cough suppressants if necessary. Avoid smoking and hospitalisation if necessary
What is the cause of tuberculosis
All cases of TB are passed from person to person through droplets containing the bacteria that causes TB. When a person with TB coughs, sneezes or talks the tiny droplets are expelled into the air and can be inhaled by another person
Symptoms of TB
You might not notice any symptoms of the disease until it’s quite advanced. Even then the symptoms— weight loss, loss of energy, poor appetite, fever, a productive cough, and night sweats— might be easily blamed on another disease
What is the treatment for TB
Doctors will prescribe several special medication (antibiotics) that you must take for six to nine months. The treatment is very long as the bacteria grow slowly and also die very slowly
