Respiratory System Functions and Organs

Functions of the Respiratory System

• Brings oxygen into the body
• Removes carbon dioxide from the body
• Regulates pH levels by removing excess hydrogen ions
• Helps to filter the air we breathe
• Provides a sense of smell

Organs of the Respiratory System

• Nose and Mouth: air enters the body through the nose or mouth
• Trachea: tube that connects the nose and mouth to the lungs
• Bronchi: tubes that branch off from the trachea and lead to the lungs
• Lungs: organs responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Diaphragm: muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity and helps to expand the lungs
• Rib Cage: protects the lungs and helps to expand the chest cavity

Mechanism of Breathing

• Inhalation:
  • Diaphragm contracts and flattens
  • Rib cage expands
  • Air pressure in the lungs decreases
  • Air enters the lungs through the nose or mouth
• Exhalation:
  • Diaphragm relaxes and rises
  • Rib cage descends
  • Air pressure in the lungs increases
  • Air leaves the lungs through the nose or mouth

Gas Exchange

• Oxygen:
  • Enters the lungs through inhalation
  • Diffuses into the bloodstream through the alveoli
  • Bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells
  • Transported to cells throughout the body
• Carbon Dioxide:
  • Produced by cells throughout the body
  • Transported to the lungs through the bloodstream
  • Exhaled out of the body through the nose or mouth

Respiratory Control Center

• Located in the brainstem
• Regulates breathing rate and depth
• Responds to changes in CO2 levels and pH levels in the blood
• Can be influenced by emotional state, stress, and other factors

Functions of the Respiratory System

• Brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide
• Regulates pH levels by removing excess hydrogen ions
• Helps to filter the air we breathe
• Provides a sense of smell

Organs of the Respiratory System

• Air enters the body through the nose or mouth
• The trachea is a tube that connects the nose and mouth to the lungs
• Bronchi are tubes that branch off from the trachea and lead to the lungs
• Lungs are responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
• The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity and helps to expand the lungs
• The rib cage protects the lungs and helps to expand the chest cavity

Breathing Process

• Inhalation occurs when the diaphragm contracts and flattens, the rib cage expands, and air pressure in the lungs decreases
• During inhalation, air enters the lungs through the nose or mouth
• Exhalation occurs when the diaphragm relaxes and rises, the rib cage descends, and air pressure in the lungs increases
• During exhalation, air leaves the lungs through the nose or mouth

Gas Exchange Process

• Oxygen enters the lungs through inhalation, diffuses into the bloodstream through the alveoli, and binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells
• Oxygen is transported to cells throughout the body
• Carbon dioxide is produced by cells throughout the body, transported to the lungs through the bloodstream, and exhaled out of the body through the nose or mouth

Respiratory Control Center

• The Respiratory Control Center is located in the brainstem
• It regulates breathing rate and depth
• The center responds to changes in CO2 levels and pH levels in the blood
• It can be influenced by emotional state, stress, and other factors