The Respiratory System Flashcards
Where do we get our energy from?
By burning food in our cells through respiration.
What body parts enclose your lungs and heart?
The ribs and diaphragm enclose the heart and lungs.
How many pairs of bones do ribs have?
There are 12 pairs of bones in a set of ribs.
What are the muscles between your ribs called and what is their function?
The muscles between your ribs are called Intercostal Muscles and the move the rib cage up and down.
What is the diaphragm and where is it?
The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that draws air in and out of the lungs and it is located at the base of the ribcage.
What are alveoli covered in?
They are covered in a net of thin-walled capillaries.
How think is the lining of an alveolus?
The lining of an alveolus is only 1 cell thick.
How does oxygen get from the alveoli to the blood?
Oxygen diffuses through the alveoli and capillary lining and attaches to red blood cell.
How does carbon dioxide get from the blood to the alveoli?
Carbon dioxide diffuses from the plasma into the alveoli.
What’s diffusion?
The movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration.
What does the mucus in the lining of our nose, trachea and bronchi protect our airways from?
It traps dust and germs.
Name 2 adaptations that of the lungs for gas exchange.
- Alveoli have a large surface area.
- Short distances between the lungs and the blood.
- Complete involvement of air + blood.
- Walls of alveoli are elastic.
What percentage of oxygen is Inhaled vs Exhaled?
- Inhaled: 21%
- Exhaled: 16%
What percentage of Carbon dioxide is Inhaled vs Exhaled?
- Inhaled: 0.04%
- Exhaled: 4%
What percentage of Nitrogen is Inhaled vs Exhaled?
- Inhaled: 79%
- Exhaled: 79%
What percentage of water vapour is Inhaled vs Exhaled?
- Inhaled: varies
- Exhaled: Saturated
What is the process that makes us inhale?
The brain sends signals to the rib muscles and diaphragm to contract. The ribs are pulled up and out, and the diagram flattens downwards.
How do we inhale?
The volume of the chest increases, so air pressure drops and more air is drawn into the lungs and alveoli.
What’s the percentage of oxygen carried by the red blood cells?
It carries 97% of oxygen.
What carries the other 3% of oxygen?
Plasma carries the other 3%.
What carries the majority of the carbon dioxide?
Plasma
What is carbon dioxide carried as in plasma?
Bicarbonate ions or dissolved carbon dioxide.
Can red blood cells carry carbon dioxide?
Yes, but only a small percentage of it.
What is the process that makes us exhale?
The rib muscles and diaphragm relax and return to their usual position.
