Mammalian Respiratory System Quiz

The difference in concentration of a substance between two areas.

A process where molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

A specialized structure in an organism that facilitates the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the organism and its environment.

The ability of a substance to pass through a membrane or barrier.

The thinness of a tissue layer.

The presence of water on a surface.

The total area of a surface.

A condition where the difference in concentration between two areas is maintained.

Muscles located between the ribs that help with breathing.

A sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity (thorax) from the abdomen, essential for breathing.

Thin membrane lining the chest cavity and the lungs, secreting fluid for lubrication.

Fluid secreted by the pleural membrane, reducing friction during breathing.

The main airway that connects the mouth to the lungs, also known as the windpipe.

Tubes branching off the trachea and leading to the lungs.

Smaller, terminal branches of the bronchi, leading to the alveoli.

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Elastic fibers are found in both the alveoli and bronchioles, playing a crucial role in efficient gas exchange.

The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. Elastic fibers in their walls allow them to expand and contract during breathing, maximizing surface area for gas exchange.

The bronchioles are small airways in the lungs. Elastic fibers in their walls help maintain their shape during expiration, ensuring that air continues to flow out of the lungs.

The way air is breathed in and out of the lungs is called tidal breathing. This means air enters and leaves through the same pathway, resulting in a residual volume of air that cannot be exhaled.

The residual volume of air remaining in the lungs after exhalation mixes with incoming air, diluting the oxygen concentration. Despite this, the lungs are remarkably efficient due to numerous features of the alveoli.

A tiny air sac in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

A large surface area allows for more efficient gas exchange between the air and the blood.

The thin walls of alveoli allow gases to quickly diffuse between the air and the blood.

A dense network of capillaries around each alveolus ensures efficient gas exchange.

The moisture inside alveoli allows oxygen to dissolve and diffuse into the blood.

Surfactant prevents alveoli from collapsing by reducing surface tension.

Premature babies born before five months may lack surfactant and struggle to breathe.

Premature birth can lead to breathing problems, as the lungs are not fully developed and may lack surfactant.

The process of breathing in and out, involving the movement of air between the lungs and the atmosphere.

The process of breathing in, where air is drawn into the lungs.

The process of breathing out, where air is expelled from the lungs.

Muscles located in the abdominal wall that help to compress the abdomen during exhalation, forcing air out of the lungs.

The pressure inside the lungs, which changes as the volume of the chest cavity changes during breathing.

The pressure outside the lungs, which is essentially the atmospheric pressure.

The difference in pressure between the intrapulmonary pressure and the atmospheric pressure that drives air flow in and out of the lungs.

The trachea, a tube that carries air to the lungs, branches into two bronchi, one for each lung. These bronchi then subdivide into smaller bronchioles. The smallest bronchioles are connected to tiny air sacs called alveoli.

The presence of smooth muscle in the bronchi and larger bronchioles allows for the regulation of airflow. The cartilage rings or plates in these structures provide support to prevent collapse during inhalation, when pressure drops.

Tiny air sacs called alveoli are the sites of gas exchange in the lungs. They have thin, elastic walls and a large surface area for efficient diffusion of oxygen into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide out of it.

A network of capillaries wraps around clusters of alveoli, providing a large surface area for efficient diffusion of gases. This is an important adaptation for gas exchange in the lungs.

The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, where it gets oxygenated. The pulmonary vein then carries the oxygenated blood back to the heart to be pumped to the rest of the body.

The large surface area of the alveoli, provided by their numerous and small size, is crucial for efficient gas exchange in the lungs.

The elastic connective tissue in the alveoli walls allows for expansion and contraction during breathing, ensuring efficient gas exchange.

Despite being efficient at gas exchange, the lungs cannot prevent all water loss during breathing, which is a challenge for terrestrial organisms.