The Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

To transport air to and from the lungs so that gases can be exchanged.

Question 2

What are the structures associated with the upper respiratory tract?

Answer 2

Nose, nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses and the pharynx.

Question 3

What are the structures associated with the lower respiratory tract?

Answer 3

The larynx, trachea, bronchial tree and the lungs.

Question 4

What assists the nasal cavity in catching large particles and preventing them from travelling further into air passageways?

Answer 4

The nasal cavity is lined with a mucous membrane which secretes a sticky mucous to catch dust and other small particles. Cilia along the walls of the nasal cavity move residual mucous up into the pharynx to be digested.

Question 5

Which structure of the respiratory system encloses the vocal cords?

Answer 5

The larynx.

Question 6

How do the vocal cords produce sound?

Answer 6

The vocal cords vibrate from side to side when air passes over them.

Question 7

Which two structures prevent food or liquids from entering the trachea?

Answer 7

The glottis and epiglottis.

Question 8

Which structure of the respiratory system is passageway for both air and food?

Answer 8

The pharynx.

Question 9

What are the three sections of the larynx called?

Answer 9

Nasopharynx, oropharynx and larangopharynx.

Question 10

The trachea contains C shaped pieces of cartilage which prevent the trachea from collapsing and blocking the airway- how many of these are there?

Answer 10

20

Question 11

Name the 7 stages of the bronchial tree.

Answer 11

Bronchi, lobar bronchi, segmental bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, alveoli.

Question 12

Where are the lungs situated and what are they surrounded by?

Answer 12

The lungs are situated in the thoracic cavity surrounded by the thoracic cage and the diaphragm.

Question 13

What is the name of the membrane which is attached to the surface of each lung?

Answer 13

The visceral pleura

Question 14

What is the name of the membrane which lines the thoracic cavity?

Answer 14

The parietal pleura.

Question 15

Describe the process of inspiration.

Answer 15

Pressure inside the alveoli decreases when the diaphragm moves downwards, external intercostal muscles contract and the thoracic cage moves upwards and outwards. This forces external air into the lungs as a result of outer air pressure exceeding inner lung pressure.

Question 16

What is the role of surfactant?

Answer 16

Surfactant reduces the alveolus tendency to collapse- especially when lung volumes are low.

Question 17

Describe the process of expiration.

Answer 17

Elastic recoil of tissues and surface tension within alveoli provide the forces of expiration. As the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, elastic tissues within the lungs cause the alveoli to recoil back to its original shape. This increases pressure inside the alveoli thus forcing air out of the lungs.

Question 18

What is a respiratory cycle?

Answer 18

An inspiration followed by an expiration.

Question 19

The amount of air that moves in/out during one respiratory cycle is called ………?

Answer 19

The tidal volume.

Question 20

Additional air that can be exhaled following tidal volume exhalation is called …….?

Answer 20

Expiratory reserve volume.

Question 21

Additional air that can be inhaled following tidal volume is called ……..?

Answer 21

Inspiratory reserve volume.

Question 22

What name do we give the residual air left in the lungs following expiratory reserve volume?

Answer 22

Residual volume

Question 23

What is the vital capacity of the lungs?

Answer 23

The maximum amount of air a person can exhale following taking the deepest breath possible.

Question 24

What is the inspiratory capacity of the lungs?

Answer 24

The maximum volume of air a person can inhale following exhalation of the tidal volume.

Question 25

What is the functional residual capacity of the lungs?

Answer 25

The volume of air which remains in the lungs following a person exhaling the tidal volume.

Question 26

Total lung capacity = …….. + ………..

Answer 26

Vital capacity + residual volume

Question 27

Where are respiratory areas located?

Answer 27

Within the pons and medulla oblongata of the brainstem.

Question 28

The medullary respiratory centre contains two types of neurons. What are their names and roles?

Answer 28

Ventral respiratory group- regulates the basic rhythm of breathing
Dorsal respiratory group- stimulates inspiratory muscles

Question 29

Give three factors that can affect our breathing

Answer 29

1. Excercise
2. Emotional state
3. Stretching of lung tissues

Question 30

What are the roles of chemoreceptors?

Answer 30

They detect levels of oxygen within the blood and signal the brain to respond accordingly. For example, a chemoreceptors detecting low levels of oxygen in the blood would trigger the brain to signal the body to breath more frequently.

Question 31

Where does gas exchange between air and the blood occur?

Answer 31

In the alveoli.

Question 32

Why do the human lungs contain many alveoli?

Answer 32

To increase surface area for maximum levels of gas exchange

Question 33

By what process does gas exchange occur? Describe this process.

Answer 33

Diffusion. Gases move from areas with a higher partial pressure of oxygen/carbon dioxide to areas with a lower partial pressure of oxygen/carbon dioxide.

Question 34

In which direction do gases pass through the alveolar/capillary membrane?

Answer 34

Oxygen passes from alveoli into the blood

Carbon dioxide passes from blood into the alveoli

Question 35

How is oxygen transported in the blood?

Answer 35

Oxygen binds to haemoglobin in red blood cells to form oxyhemoglobin.

Question 36

By which three ways can carbon dioxide be transported within the blood?

Answer 36

By binding to haemoglobin, dissolved in plasma or as a bicarbonate ion.

Question 37

What effect does the respiratory system have on the integumentary system?

Answer 37

Stimulation of skin receptors may alter respiratory rate.

Question 38

What effect does the respiratory system have on the lymphatic system?

Answer 38

Cells of the immune system patrol the lungs and defend against infection.

Question 39

What effect does the respiratory system have on the cardiovascular system?

Answer 39

Pulmonary circuit- lungs oxygenate blood and remove CO2

Question 40

What effect does the respiratory system have on the digestive system?

Answer 40

The digestive and respiratory systems share openings to the outside.

Question 41

What effect does the respiratory system have on the muscular system?

Answer 41

The respiratory system eliminates CO2 produced by exercising muscles.

Question 42

What effect does the respiratory system have on the nervous system.

Answer 42

The brain controls the respiratory system.

Question 43

What effect does the respiratory system have on the endocrine system?

Answer 43

Hormones control the production of red blood cells which transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Question 44

What effect does the respiratory system have on the reproductive system?

Answer 44

Respiration increases during sexual activity. Fetal gas exchange begins before birth.

Question 45

What effect does the respiratory system have on the urinary system?

Answer 45

The kidneys and respiratory system work together to regulate pH levels in the blood. Also, the kidneys compensate for water lost through breathing.

Question 46

What effect does the respiratory system have on the skeletal system?

Answer 46

Bones provide attachments for muscles involved in breathing.