The structure and function of the cardio-respiratory system

Question 1

Trachea (or windpipe)

Answer 1

Carries air from the mouth and nose to the lungs.

Question 2

Bronchi

Answer 2

Carries air from the trachea to the lungs.

Question 3

Bronchioles

Answer 3

Carries air from the bronchi to the alveoli.

Question 4

Lungs

Answer 4

Pair of large, spongy organs optimised for gas exchange between our blood and the air.

Question 5

Alveoli

Answer 5

Many tiny air sacs in the lungs which allow for rapid gaseous exchange.

Question 6

Haemoglobin

Answer 6

The red pigment found in red blood cells.

Question 7

Oxyhaemoglobin

Answer 7

Formed when oxygen combines with haemoglobin.

Question 8

Abdominal muscles

Answer 8

The muscles which help force air out of the lungs and so speed up expiration.

Question 9

Tidal volume

Answer 9

The volume of air breathed in (or out) during a normal breath at rest.

Question 10

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

Answer 10

The addition air that can be forcibly exhaled after the expiration of a normal tidal volume.

Question 11

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

Answer 11

The additional air that can be forcibly inhaled after the inspiration of a normal tidal volume.

Question 12

Residual volume

Answer 12

The volume of air that remains in the lungs after a maximal expiration.

Question 13

Artery

Answer 13

Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.

Question 14

Vein

Answer 14

Blood vessel carrying blood towards the heart.

Question 15

Capillaries

Answer 15

Very thin blood vessels that allow gas exchange to take place.

Question 16

Vasoconstriction

Answer 16

Reducing the diameter of small arteries to reduce blood flow to tissues.

Question 17

Vasodilation

Answer 17

Increasing the diameter of small arteries to increase blood flow to tissues.

Question 18

Atria

Answer 18

Upper chambers of the heart that collect blood from veins.

Question 19

Ventricles

Answer 19

Lower chambers of the heart which pump blood out of the heart to the arteries.

Question 20

Cardiac cycle

Answer 20

Sequence of events that occur when the heart beats.

Question 21

Systole

Answer 21

Term used to describe the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle.

Question 22

Diastole

Answer 22

Term used to describe the relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle.