The Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the pathway of air into the lungs

Answer 1

Air is drawn through the nose
It passes through the pharynx and into the larynx
Then down the trachea and into the left and right bronchus
Air moves through each bronchus and they subdivide into secondary bronchi
These get progressively thinner and branch into bronchioles
Finally into the alveoli

Question 2

Definition of diffusion

Answer 2

The movement of gas molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration

Question 3

Definition of gaseous exchange

Answer 3

The movement of oxygen from the air into the blood and carbon dioxide from the blood to the air

Question 4

What muscles are used during breathing at rest for inspiration ?

Answer 4

Diaphragm
External intercostals

Question 5

What muscles are used during exercise in inspiration ?

Answer 5

Diaphragm
External intercostals
Sternocleidomastoid
Scalenes
Pectoralis minor

Question 6

What muscles are used during rest for expiration ?

Answer 6

Passive: diaphragm and external intercostals just relax

Question 7

What muscles are used during exercise for expiration ?

Answer 7

Internal intercostals
Abdominals

Question 8

Definition of tidal volume

Answer 8

Volume of air breathed in or out per breath

Question 9

Definition of inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

Answer 9

Volume of air that can be forcibly inspired after a normal breath

Question 10

Definition of expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

Answer 10

Volume of air that can be forcibly expired after a normal breath

Question 11

Definition of residual volume

Answer 11

The amount of air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration

Question 12

What is a spirometer ?

Answer 12

A device that is used to measure the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs

Question 13

Definition of minute ventilation

Answer 13

The volume of air inhaled or exhaled from the lungs per minute

Question 14

What 3 factors are involved in the regulation of pulmonary ventilation during exercise

Answer 14

Neural control
Chemical control
Hormonal control

Question 15

How does smoking negatively effect the respiratory system ?

Answer 15

Can cause irritation of the trachea and bronchi
Reduces lung function and causes breathlessness
Smoking also damages the cilia which help us push mucus out of our lungs. When they’re damaged mucus builds up in the lung passages leading to smokers cough
Smoking reduces the efficiency of gaseous exchange which means less oxygen can enter the bloodstream
Smoking also affects oxygen transportation as the carbon monoxide binds with the haemoglobin in red blood cells much more readily than oxygen. This reduces the volume of oxygen entering the bloodstream