Respiratory System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the nose in the respiratory system?

  • To assist with cellular respiration
  • To humidify incoming air
  • To facilitate gas exchange
  • To filter and warm incoming air (correct)

Which of the following correctly defines internal respiration?

  • Breakdown of organic molecules to release energy
  • Gas exchange between blood and air sacs of the lung
  • Gas exchange between blood capillaries and body cells (correct)
  • Gas exchange that occurs in the alveoli

Which organ is part of the Upper Respiratory Tract?

  • Trachea
  • Lungs
  • Bronchi
  • Nasal cavity (correct)

What role does the epiglottis serve in the respiratory system?

<p>To prevent food from entering the trachea (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism is primarily responsible for the removal of particles that enter the larynx?

<p>Coughing reflex (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles are primarily involved in the process of breathing?

<p>Rib muscles and diaphragm (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ciliated epithelium in the trachea?

<p>To trap foreign particles and pathogens (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is responsible for dividing the trachea into the right and left bronchi?

<p>The trachea (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the trachea in the respiratory system?

<p>To keep airways open (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process is considered cellular respiration?

<p>Breakdown of glucose in cells to release energy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does smoking affect the air passages in the lungs?

<p>It covers air passages with tar (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pleural fluid between the visceral and parietal pleura?

<p>To prevent friction during lung expansion and contraction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of tissue composes the alveolar walls?

<p>Simple squamous epithelium (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do intercostal muscles play during respiration?

<p>They aid in the movement of ribs during breathing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does oxygen primarily combine with hemoglobin in the lungs?

<p>In the alveoli (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?

<p>It contracts and descends (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the process of inspiration?

<p>The diaphragm contracts and moves downwards. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Tidal Volume in relation to lung capacity?

<p>It is the amount of air moved in and out with each breath. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the diffusing capacity (DLCO or TLCO)?

<p>Lung volume changes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the peripheral and central chemoreceptors in breathing control?

<p>To detect changes in blood gas levels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is oxygen primarily transported in the blood?

<p>By hemoglobin and dissolved in plasma (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during expiration?

<p>The diaphragm relaxes and moves upwards. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical breathing rate for an adult?

<p>12-16 breaths/minute (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At sea level, what is the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2)?

<p>159 mmHg (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

External Respiration

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air sacs of the lungs and the blood capillaries.

Internal Respiration

The exchange of gases between the blood capillaries and the body cells.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which glucose is broken down in cells to release energy.

Inspiration

The process of taking air into the lungs.

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Expiration

The process of expelling air from the lungs.

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Pharynx

The passageway for air and food, located at the back of the throat.

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Trachea

The tube that connects the larynx to the lungs.

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Epiglottis

The flap of cartilage that closes the trachea during swallowing.

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Tidal Volume

The volume of air that moves in and out of the lungs with each breath.

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Partial Pressure

The pressure exerted by a gas in a mixture of gases.

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Partial Pressure of Oxygen (PO2)

The pressure of oxygen in the air.

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Gas Diffusion

The exchange of gases between the air sacs of the lungs and the blood capillaries.

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Diffusing Capacity (DLCO or TLCO)

The maximum amount of oxygen that can be transferred from the alveoli to the blood in one minute.

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Haemoglobin

The main protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen.

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Why is the trachea C-shaped?

C-shaped rings of cartilage provide structural support to the trachea, allowing it to remain open for airflow. The shape also allows the esophagus to expand during swallowing without obstructing the trachea.

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What is the role of cilia and goblet cells in the trachea?

The trachea is lined with a mucous membrane containing ciliated epithelium and goblet cells. The cilia sweep mucus upwards, trapping dust and other foreign particles, preventing them from entering the lungs. Goblet cells secrete mucus to trap these particles.

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What is the difference between trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles?

The bronchi are the two main branches of the trachea that lead to the lungs. Each bronchus further branches into smaller and smaller tubes, ultimately leading to tiny air sacs called alveoli.

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How does smoking affect the lungs?

Tar deposited from smoking irritates the delicate tissues of the lungs, causing inflammation and making it harder for the lungs to exchange gases effectively. This leads to an increased risk of respiratory problems like bronchitis and lung cancer.

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What is the function of the pleura in the lungs?

The lungs are covered by a double-layered membrane called the pleura. The visceral pleura adheres to the lung surface, while the parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity. The space between them contains pleural fluid, which reduces friction during breathing.

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What is the primary function of alveoli?

Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place. Their thin walls allow oxygen to diffuse from the inhaled air into the blood capillaries, while carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.

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How does the diaphragm aid in breathing?

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that contracts to flatten during inhalation, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating suction to draw air into the lungs. During exhalation it relaxes, pushing air out.

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How do the ribs and intercostal muscles participate in breathing?

Ribs protect the heart and lungs, and also play a crucial role in breathing. When the intercostal muscles contract, they lift the rib cage, expanding the thoracic cavity and facilitating inhalation. Relaxation of these muscles leads to exhalation.

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Study Notes

Respiratory System Overview

  • The respiratory system's function is to exchange gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the body and the environment.
  • It involves a series of tubes that filter, warm, and moisten incoming air.
  • Gas exchange happens in microscopic air sacs called alveoli within the lungs.

Respiration Types

  • External respiration: Gas exchange between blood capillaries and the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs.
  • Internal respiration: Gas exchange between blood capillaries and body cells.
  • Cellular respiration: The breakdown of organic molecules (usually glucose) in cells to release energy.

Respiratory System Organs and Functions

  • Nose and Mouth: These structures provide an entry point for air, filtering, warming, and moistening it.
  • Nasal Cavity: Warms, filters, and humidifies incoming air and contains fine hairs.
  • Pharynx (Throat): A common passageway for air and food.
  • Larynx (Voice Box): Cartilaginous structure preventing food from entering the trachea. Contains the vocal cords.
  • Trachea (Windpipe): C-shaped cartilage maintains its structure and allows the esophagus to expand. Lined with cilia and mucus to trap particles.
  • Bronchi: The trachea divides into two primary bronchi, each leading to a lung.
  • Bronchioles: Smaller branches of the bronchi leading to the alveoli.
  • Alveoli: Microscopic air sacs where gas exchange occurs.
  • Lungs: Cone-shaped organs filled with alveoli, enclosed by the diaphragm and rib cage.
  • Diaphragm: A large muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. Moves during breathing, contracting for inhalation and relaxing for exhalation.
  • Ribs and Intercostal Muscles: Protect the respiratory organs and aid in the process of ventilation by moving the ribs to change the size of the chest cavity..

Activity 1 - Atmospheric Gases

  • The most prevalent gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, and noble gases. Carbon dioxide is present in much smaller quantities.

Cigarette Smoking and Respiratory Health

  • Smoking leads to tar buildup in the airways, harming the lungs and impeding gas exchange.
  • This increases risks for bronchitis and lung cancer.

Breathing Mechanics

  • The movement of air into and out of the lungs is called ventilation (breathing).
  • Breathing involves inspiration (inhalation) and expiration (exhalation).
  • Inspiration: Diaphragm contracts, intercostal muscles contract, increasing chest cavity size, and lowering air pressure in alveoli.
  • Expiration: Diaphragm relaxes, intercostal muscles relax, decreasing chest cavity size, raising air pressure in alveoli.

Control Mechanisms

  • Breathing is often controlled involuntarily by the brain.
  • Chemical signals in the blood (e.g., carbon dioxide levels) and receptors in the lungs provide feedback to the brain for adjusting breathing rate.

Gas Transport and Diffusion:

  • Oxygen is primarily carried in the blood by hemoglobin.
  • Carbon dioxide is transported in the blood in several forms.
  • Gas exchange in the alveoli relies on diffusion across the thin alveolar-capillary membrane, driven by differences in partial pressure.
  • The respiratory system depends on the properties of the gases and how the membrane is structured, factors like membrane thickness, surface area and pressure differences play a critical role in gas diffusion efficiency.

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