respiratory

• What is the main function of the respiratory system?

  To facilitate breathing and gas exchange
• What are the main components of the respiratory system?

  • Nasal cavity
  • Mouth
  • Larynx
  • Lungs
  • Right bronchi
  • Diaphragm
  • Pharynx
  • Trachea
  • Left bronchi
  • Bronchioles
  • Alveoli
• What is the role of the nasal cavity?

  It filters out dust and allows air to enter
• How does the pharynx function in the respiratory system?

  It connects the nasal cavity with the larynx and serves as a pathway for food and air
• What is the larynx commonly known as?

  The voice box
• What is the function of the trachea?

  It serves as the windpipe and is supported by rigid rings of cartilage
• What is the length of the trachea?

  12 cm long
• What does the epiglottis do?

  It closes over the trachea when swallowing to prevent food from entering the lungs
• What are the primary functions of the lungs?

  To allow oxygen to be drawn into the body
• What do bronchi do?

  They branch off the trachea and carry air to the lungs
• What are bronchioles?

  Small airways that extend from the bronchi and connect to alveoli
• What is the function of alveoli?

  They are the site of gaseous exchange
• How does oxygen move during gaseous exchange?

  Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood capillaries
• How does carbon dioxide move during gaseous exchange?

  Carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood capillaries into the alveoli
• What are the characteristics of alveoli that facilitate gaseous exchange?

  • One cell thick
  • Short diffusion pathway
  • Semi-permeable membrane
  • Good blood supply
  • Small in size but large in amount
  • Big surface area
• What is the diaphragm's role in breathing?

  It supports the mechanics of breathing by contracting and relaxing
• How does the diaphragm move during inspiration?

  It contracts and pulls flat
• How does the diaphragm move during expiration?

  It rises into a dome shape
• What do internal intercostal muscles do?

  They draw the ribs downwards and inwards, decreasing chest cavity volume
• What do external intercostal muscles do?

  They pull the ribs upwards and outwards, increasing chest cavity volume
• What are the two phases of breathing?

  1. Inspiration: Air is drawn into the lungs
  2. Expiration: Air is expelled from the lungs
• What is pulmonary ventilation?

  It is the process by which air is transported into and out of the lungs
• What happens to the thoracic cage during breathing?

  It changes shape, altering the space and pressure inside
• How do gases move in relation to pressure?

  Gases move from an area of high pressure to low pressure
• What occurs during inspiration?

  The diaphragm contracts and external intercostals move the ribs up and out
• What occurs during expiration?

  The diaphragm rises and internal intercostals move the ribs down and in
• How does breathing rate change during exercise?

  Breathing rate and depth increase to meet oxygen demands
• What is gaseous exchange?

  • The process of exchanging one type of gas for another
  • Occurs in the lungs between alveoli and blood capillaries
• How does blood enter the capillaries from the pulmonary artery?

  It enters with lower oxygen concentration and higher carbon dioxide concentration
• How does carbon dioxide move in the lungs?

  It moves from the blood where it is highly concentrated to the alveoli
• How does oxygen move during gaseous exchange?

  Oxygen moves from the alveoli to the bloodstream
• What is tidal volume?

  The volume of air breathed in and out per breath
• What is inspiratory reserve volume?

  The additional volume of air that can be forcibly inhaled after normal tidal volume
• What is expiratory reserve volume?

  The additional volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after normal tidal volume
• What is residual volume?

  The volume of air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration
• What is vital capacity?

  The maximum amount of air that can be breathed out after inhaling as much air as possible
• What is total lung capacity?

  Your total lung capacity after inhaling as deeply as you can
• What controls the process of breathing?

  • Respiratory centres in the brain
  • Neural control (neurons in the medulla oblongata)
  • Chemical control (chemoreceptors detecting oxygen and carbon dioxide levels)
• What is the role of the dorsal respiratory group (DRG)?

  It is responsible for rhythmic generation during inhalation
• What is the role of the ventral respiratory group (VRG)?

  It fires during both inhalation and exhalation