respiratory system

Cards (12)

  • define tidal volume
    the volume of air breathed in or out in one breath
  • define vital capacity
    the largest volume of air that can be breathed in after breathing out the most possible.
    maximum inhalation after maximum exhalation
  • what happens to tidal volume during exercise?
    it increases due to the high intensity
  • air flows through the mouth or nose into the trachea then into the bronchi. these then split into bronchioles which the air flows through to reach the alveoli.
  • describe the action of the diaphragm when inhaling and exhaling:
    during inhalation the diaphragm contracts to expand the chest cavity and draw air into the lungs.
    during exhalation it relaxes into its normal shape, shrinking the chest cavity and forcing the air back out of the lungs.
  • explain the difference in composition between inhaled and exhaled air:
    exhaled air has less oxygen than inhaled air because some of the oxygen will have been used by the body to release energy through aerobic respiration.
    exhaled air also contains more carbon dioxide than inhaled air as this is produced as a by product of aerobic respiration and needs to be breathed out.
  • explain how the thin walls of the alveoli assist them in their function:
    the thin walls of the alveoli allow gases to pass through them easily.
    this makes it easier for them oxygen to pass from the alveoli into the blood in the capillaries surrounding them
    and for carbon dioxide to pass from blood in the capillaries to the alveoli.
  • assess the importance of a high vital capacity to a triathlete:
    a high vital capacity would be very beneficial to a triathlete because it would provide a high maximum tidal volume during exercise.
    this would mean a large volume of oxygen could be taken into their lungs then transferred to their blood and delivered to muscles.
    this would allow them to release the energy needed throughout the long duration of the event.
  • whats the structure of the respiratory system?
    • trachea - air passes through the nose or mouth into the trachea.
    • bronchi - the trachea splits into two tubes called bronchi (each one is a bronchus) one going to each lung
    • bronchioles - the bronchi split into progressively smaller tubes called bronchioles.
    • alveoli - the bronchioles end at small bags called alveoli where gases are exchanged.
    • the diaphragm and intercostal muscles help the air move in and out.
  • what are the diaphragm and intercostal muscles?
    • when you breath in, these muscles contract to move the ribcage upwards and expand the chest cavity. this draws air into your lungs.
    • when you breath out they relax, moving the ribcage down and shrinking the chest cavity. this forces air back out of the lungs the same way it came in.
  • lung definitions?
    • Tidal Volume / depth of breathing - 1 inhalation and exhalation
    • Breathing rate - Breaths per min
    • Minute volume - Volume of air breathed in and out per min
    • TV x BR = MV
    • Vital Capacity = maximal exhalation after a maximal inhalation
    • Ventilation - act of breathing (respiration - energy production)
    • Inspiration - breathing in
    • Expiration - breathing out
  • how are gases exchanged in the alveoli?
    • oxygenated blood delivers oxygen and collects carbon dioxide as it circulates around the body. deoxygenated blood returns to the heart and is then pumped to the lungs.
    • in the lungs carbon dioxide moves from the blood in the capillaries into the alveoli so it can be breathed out.
    • oxygen from the air you breathe into the lungs moves across from the alveoli to the red blood cells in the capillaries.
    • the oxygenated blood returns to the heart and is pumped to the rest of the body. the red blood cells carry the oxygen around the body and deliver it where its needed.