The respiratory system Flashcards
Why does the trachea have cartilage rings?
The trachea has cartilage rings to keep it open, support the trachea, keep it rigid, allows to move and flex during breathing.
What does the pleural cavity do?
The pleural cavity ensures that the lugs don’t stick together.
What are pleural membranes?
Pleural membranes are membranes that surround the lungs and keep an upright seal.
What is the diaphragm?
The diaphragm is a large sheet of muscle that separates the lungs from abdominal activity.
What are intercostal muscles?
Intercostal muscles are sets of muscles in between ribs that raise/lower the ribcage.
Explain why the pressure of the lungs decreases when you inhale.
All the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm contract to expand the chest cavity. This expansion then causes there to be less pressure.
What type of process is inhalation?
Inhalation is an active process as you are aware when you do it.
What happens to the intercostal muscles when you inhale and what does this do to the ribcage?
- External intercostal muscles contract.
- Internal intercostal muscles relax.
- This moves the ribcage upwards and outwards.
What happens to the diaphragm when you inhale?
When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts; pulling downwards.
What happens to the volume when you inhale?
The volume increases when you inhale.
What type of process is exhalation?
Exhalation is a passive process as you need to do it subconsciously.
What happens to the intercostal muscles when you exhale and what does this do to the ribcage?
- External intercostal muscles relax.
- Internal intercostal muscles contract.
- Moves ribcage downwards and inwards.
What happens to the diaphragm when you exhale?
- Relaxes and moves upwards (returning to its dome shape.)
What happens to the pressure and volume when you exhale?
- The pressure increases.
- The volume decreases.
How is exhaled air different from atmospheric air?
- Less oxygen
- more carbon dioxide
- More nitrogen
Why do alveoli have folded walls?
- Creates a large surface area.
- Increases the rate of diffusion.
Where does the carbon dioxide diffuse from in gas exchange?
- Diffuses from the blood to the alveoli.
- It moves from a high concentration to a low concentration.
- It moves down a concentration gradient.
Where does the oxygen diffuse in gas exchange?
- Diffuses from the alveoli to blood.
- It moves from a high concentration to a low concentration.
- It moves down a concentration gradient.
What is gas exchange?
Gas exchange is the delivery of oxygen from the alveoli, which can be diffused in the blood, and the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood to the alveoli.
Why is the alveoli only one cell thick?
- It makes the diffusion pathway shorter.
- This increases the rate of diffusion.
Why do the alveoli have a good blood supply and a lot of capillaries?
- To maintain a steep concentration gradient between alveoli to blood.
- Increases the rate of diffusion.
Give 4 features of the alveoli.
- They are moist.
- Thin - shorter diffusion pathway (gases to not have to travel far from blood to alveoli/ from alveoli to blood.)
- Good blood supply/ a lot of capillaries maintains a steep concentration gradient between alveoli and blood.
- Folded walls- to make a large surface area.
What is the equation for respiration?
Glucose + oxygen - carbon dioxide +water
What is diffusion?
Diffusion is when particles move from an area of high to low concentration.
What is energy needed for in the body?
- Growth and repair.
- Movement.
- Control of body temperature.
What is the test for carbon dioxide?
- Add limewater to a test tube.
- If it turns cloudy/ milky then carbon dioxide is present.
What does emphysema do to the alveoli?
Emphysema causes the walls of air sacs to break down. This carries less oxygen in the blood which is why people with emphysema find exercise extremely difficult.
What is bronchitis and what causes it?
- Bronchitis is caused by a build-up of mucus because certain substances in smoke damage epithelial cells.
What does carbon monoxide do?
- Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin in red blood cells.
- Reduces ability to carry oxygen.
- Puts strain on the circulatory syste –> heart disease.
What does tar do?
- Tar is a carcinogen that causes cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus.
What is the word equation for fermentation?
Glucose - ethanol+carbon dioxide.
