Respiratory System Overview

Nitrogen = Makes up the largest percentage of air Oxygen = Essential for cellular respiration Carbon dioxide = Waste product of metabolism Argon = Noble gas found in trace amounts

Nasal Passage = Warms and moistens incoming air Pharynx = Common passageway for air and food Epiglottis = Covers the trachea during swallowing Glottis = Opening to the trachea

Large surface area = Maximizes gas exchange Moist environment = Allows for gas diffusion Oxygen = Required for cellular respiration Carbon dioxide = Harmful in high concentrations

<p>Upper respiratory tract = Includes nasal passage and pharynx Lower respiratory tract = Includes trachea and lungs Thoracic cavity = Houses the lungs Ciliated cells = Line the nasal passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Oxygen = Needed for energy production Carbon dioxide = Must be expelled from the body Water vapor = Released during respiration Heat = By-product of metabolic processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Warms air = Prepares air for lungs Cleans air = Removes foreign particles Moistens air = Prevents dryness in the respiratory tract Increases surface area = Enhances air contact with mucous</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Inhaling = Brings oxygen into the lungs Exhaling = Releases carbon dioxide into the environment Ciliary action = Moves particles out of airways Swallowing = Prevents food entry into the trachea</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Trachea = Conducts air to lungs Bronchi = Branches from the trachea into lungs Alveoli = Gas exchange occurs here Diaphragm = Muscle that aids in breathing</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Larynx = Also called the voice box Trachea = Carries air to the lungs Bronchi = Branches into two from the trachea Alveoli = Site of gas exchange</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lungs = Primary organ of the respiratory system Bronchioles = Division of bronchi without cartilage Vocal cords = Contract and vibrate when speaking Cilia = Lined in bronchi and bronchioles</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Trachea = Supported by semicircular rings of cartilage Bronchi = Lined with cilia and mucus producing cells Alveoli = Surrounded by a net of capillaries Larynx = Contains vocal cords</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alveoli = Large surface area for diffusion Vocal cords = Determine pitch of sound Bronchi = Provide support from C-shaped cartilage Trachea = Prevents collapsibility during breathing</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Longer vocal cords = Lower sound pitch Shorter vocal cords = Higher sound pitch Alveoli = About 300 million in a pair of lungs Bronchioles = Subdivisions without cartilage</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Larynx = Just above the trachea Trachea = Connects larynx to bronchi Bronchioles = Branches off bronchi within lungs Alveoli = End of terminal bronchioles</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cilia = Help to trap and move mucus Surfactant = Prevents alveoli from collapsing Bronchi = C-shaped cartilaginous rings for support Trachea = Flexible windpipe for air transport</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alveoli = 300 million in one pair of lungs Lungs = Divided into lobes Right lung = Three lobes Left lung = Two lobes to make room for the heart</p> Signup and view all the answers

The process where cells use oxygen to break down glucose, releasing energy and producing carbon dioxide as a waste product.

A gas essential for cellular respiration, allowing cells to produce energy.

A waste product of cellular respiration, harmful to the body in high concentrations.

The primary organ of respiration, responsible for gas exchange.

The passageway for air traveling to and from the lungs, divided into upper and lower tracts.

The upper part of the respiratory tract, including the nasal passage, pharynx, epiglottis, and glottis.

The lower part of the respiratory tract, consisting of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

Structures that project into the nasal cavity, increasing surface area and covered with cilia.

Located in the throat, the larynx is made of cartilage and contains vocal cords. The vocal cords vibrate when you speak, creating sounds.

The vocal cords are two bands of muscle tissue in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound. The pitch of the sound is determined by the length and tension of the cords: longer cords produce lower tones, while shorter cords produce higher tones.

The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a flexible tube that carries air from the larynx to the lungs. It's strengthened by C-shaped rings of cartilage that prevent it from collapsing.

Bronchi are the two branches that connect the trachea to the lungs. Each lung has one. They are supported by C-shaped rings of cartilage, and their lining has cilia (tiny hairs) and mucus-producing cells.

Bronchioles are smaller branches that extend from the bronchi within the lungs, forming a network of air passages. These do not contain cartilage, but still have cilia and mucus-producing cells.

Alveoli are tiny air sacs that are the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs. Each lung has around 300 million of these tiny sacs! The alveoli are surrounded by capillaries and have thin walls. Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange happens.

The lungs are the primary organ of the respiratory system. They are responsible for breathing and gas exchange. Each lung is divided into lobes: the right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two (to make room for the heart).

Surfactant is a type of lipid (fat-like) substance found inside the alveoli. It helps keep the alveoli from collapsing and sticking together.