the respiratory system Flashcards
larynx
connects the back of the nose to the trachea to form a passage
trachea
(windpipe) divides into two bronchi from the larynx
epiglottis
flap of tissue preventing food from going into the lungs
bronchi
large tubes which divide into tiny tubes allowing air to travel into the lungs
bronchioles
divisions of the bronchi
alveoli
the site for gas exchange within the lungs
diaphragm
muscles separating the lower chest from digestive organs
intercoastal muscles
muscles used for contraction within the ribs
pleural membranes
cover the inside of the lungs
what is inspiration
-the diaphragm ad intercoastal muscles contract
-the ribs lift upwards and outwards
-air fills the lungs
-the air then flows from high pressure to low pressure
what is expiration
-diaphragm and intercoastal muscles relax
-ribs go downwards and inwards due to gravity
-air leaves the lungs
-air flows from high pressure to low pressure
what is gaseous exchange
-oxygen flows into the blood and oxyhaemoglobin is produced
-carbon dioxide is dissolved into the plasma
it the diffuses into the opposite direction down a diffusion gradient
what is a diffusion gradient
-the concentration of oxygen in the lungs is higher than in the blood
-carbon dioxide diffuses into the opposite direction so then there are higher levels of co2 in the blood than in the alveoli
what are three features of the alveoli walls which make gas exchange easier
-air sacs
-one cell thick
-inner walls are coated in water
function of air sacs in gas exchange
-make a large surface area which means a larger amount of gas exchange can occur
function of alveoli walls being one cell thick in gas exchange
-results in a small distance for gases to pass through
function of the inner walls being coated in water in gas exchange
- allows oxygen to dissolve before going through the walls to the capillaries
what is ATP
energy
what is respiration
a series of chemical reactions that breakdown glucose to produce energy
where does respiration occur
cytoplasm and mitochondria
what is aerobic respiration
-occurs when the cells have oxygen
-the process breaks down glucose into pyruvic acid releasing energy
-the energy from this enters the mitochondria and into the Krebs cycle where energy is released
what is anaerobic respiration
-the oxidation of glucose is incomplete
-this means the reaction releases less energy
- lactic acid is toxic and causes our muscles to ache so we require oxygen to remove the build up.
what does anaerobic respiration produce
small amount of energy and lactic acid
what is asthma
a common lung condition that causes breathing difficulties
symptoms of asthma
sneezing, breathlessness, tight chest, coughing
causes of asthma
genetics, pollution, allergies
common triggers for asthma
stress, viral infections, cold weather
how can asthma be monitored
allergy tests, spirometry, peak expiratory flow test
what is a spirometry
lung function test which measures how much air you can breathe out
how can an allergy test be done
blood tests
what are the different types of inhalers
dry powder and soft mist
how can someone manage their asthma triggers
try to avoid them like dust mites, animals and medicines
what is emphysema
a lung disease which results from damage to the walls of the alveoli
common causes of emphysema
cigarette smoke, dust, air pollution
how can emphysema be diagnosed
blood tests, chest x-ray
management methods of emphysema
pulmonary rehabilitation- breathing exercises to reduce breathlessness
oxygen therapy, medication e.g salmeterol
lifestyle changes which can be used to manage this disease
stay active, vaccine, maintain healthy weight
what is cystic fibrosis
causes sticky mucus to develop in the lungs and can cause problems with digestion, INHERITED CONDITION.
symptoms of cystic fibrosis
coughing, wheezing, greasy stools
causes of cystic fibrosis
inherited condition, a faulty gene
how is cystic fibrosis diagnosed
sweat test or genetic test
how can cystic fibrosis be managed
lung transplants, change of diet, exercise
