Unit 4: Understanding the respiratory system

Question 1

What are the parts of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Diaphragm
Intercostal muscles
Pleural membranes

Question 2

What is the Larynx?

Answer 2

Voice box.

Protects the trachea during swallowing. Epiglottis stops food going where air is supposed to go.

Question 3

What is the trachea?

Answer 3

Wind pipe.

Connects the mouth and nose to the lungs. Air passes through the trachea when air is inhaled and exhaled

Question 4

What are the bronchi?

Answer 4

The left and right bronchi are tubes that branch off the trachea into the lungs

Question 5

What are the bronchioles?

Answer 5

These are the smaller tubes that branch off the bronchi in the lungs

Question 6

What are the alveoli?

Answer 6

Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles. Filled with capillaries, once inflated, oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged here

Question 7

What are pleural membranes?

Answer 7

Cover the surface of the lung. Fluid in between the layers allows movement of the lung during breathing

Question 8

What are intercostal muscles?

Answer 8

A group of muscles located between the ribs. They contract to lift the lungs up during inspiration and relax when exhaling

Question 9

What is the diaphragm?

Answer 9

A muscle located at the bottom of the lungs. Separates the chest from the abdomen. When it contracts it opens up the space in the chest cavity - forcing air into lungs. When it relaxes it squeezes the air out of the lungs.

Question 10

What is gaseous exchange?

Answer 10

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the capillaries in the alveoli

Question 11

What are diffusion gradients?

Answer 11

Movement of molecules from a high concentration to an area of low concentration. Happens in the alveoli - gaseous exchange

Question 12

What is the role of glucose in respiration?

Answer 12

A sugar called glucose is broken down from our food. It is broken down into water and carbon dioxide and it is this process that creates energy

Question 13

What is the function of ATP?

Answer 13

Adenosine triphosphate is a high energy molecule found in every cell. It supplies the cells with the energy needs

Question 14

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Answer 14

Aerobic - uses oxygen

Anaerobic - does not use oxygen

Question 15

What is lactic acid?

Answer 15

When oxygen is lacking the body produces energy from pyruvic acid - lactic acid is product of this process. It is poisonous and needs oxygen to break it down

Question 16

What are the malfunctions of the respiratory system?

Answer 16

Asthma
Emphysema
Cystic Fibrosis

Question 17

What are the causes of asthma?

Answer 17

Cause unknown.
Triggers cause muscle in airway to contract - reduces airflow and makes breathing difficult.
Triggers: Pollen, smoke, strenuous exercise, dust, damp

Question 18

Symptoms and effects of asthma:

Answer 18

Breathlessness
Tightness of chest
Wheezing
Blue lips
Coughing

Question 19

What are the causes of emphysema?

Answer 19

The alveoli get damaged after years of smoking or pollution. They don’t inflate properly and therefore it is difficult to get lots of oxygen into the blood stream

Question 20

What are the symptoms and effects of emphysema?

Answer 20

Shortness of breath
Inability to do even the simplest of tasks without getting tired
Yellow sputem
Frequent coughs

Question 21

What are the causes of cystic fibrosis?

Answer 21

Genetic. Recessive gene so both parents need to be carriers.
Inability to remove mucus properly form lungs - cilia not strong enough because mucus is thick. Leads to regular infections of the lungs

Question 22

What are the symptoms and effects of cystic fibrosis?

Answer 22

Recurring chest infections.
Regular physiotherapy.
Vibrating vest
Shorter life expectancy