Respiratory System

• Windpipe

  Leads from throat to the lungs
• Epiglottis

  Covers trachea when swallowing
• Larynx (contains muscles and ligaments)


  vocal cords
• Bronchi

  leads into lungs
• Bronchioles

  Smaller branching tubes
• Pleural membranes

  Allows lungs and rib cage to attach to each other
• Diaphragm

  Separates both lungs
• Alveoli

  Site of oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide removal
• Ribs

  Pulled inwards and outwards during inspiration and expiration
• Pleural membranes (continued)

  Two layers

  Moist and slippery

  Thin film of liquid between two layers for lubrication

  Allows two layers to slide over each other for easier movement
• Inspiration

  Intercostal muscles pull rib cage up and out

  Diaphragm flattens inwards

  Increases volume and decreases pressure

  Forces oxygen in
• Expiration

  Diaphragm lifts into a dome shape

  Intercostal muscles pull rib cage down and in

  Decreases volume and increases pressure

  Forces carbon dioxide out
• Aerobic respiration

  Glucose + Oxygen ------> Carbon dioxide + water + 38 ATP
• Anaerobic respiration

  Glucose -----> Lactic acid + 2 ATP

  Painful muscle cramps

  No oxygen
• Adaptations of alveoli

  Large surface area due to large amounts of alveoli

  One cell thick so short diffusion distance

  Coated with water so oxygen can dissolve before travelling through walls of capillaries
• Gaseous exchange

  Oxygen moves from alveoli into the capillary blood forming oxyhaemoglobin

  Carbon dioxide moves from capillary into alveoli
• Asthma being born prematurely

  Increase in production of mucus and bronchi inflamed contact with trigger

  tightness of chest and wheezing asthma attacks requires inhaler

  Exposure to tobacco smoke as child triggers such as dust

  Spirometry measures breathing capacity of lung MRI and CT scans detect what is wrong with lung

  Avoid triggers preventative inhalers (brown) regular use to reduce inflammation reliever inhalers (blue) immediate relief of symptoms
• Emphysema

  Airways inflamed and narrowed alveoli permanently damaged

  Shortness of breath Frequent chest infections Yellow sputum

  Smoking Chemical exposure at work genetic (rare)

  Spirometry measures breathing capacity of lung MRI and CT scans detect what is wrong with lung

  Surgery to remove damaged section of lung or lung transplant Antibiotics to treat infections
• Cystic Fibrosis

  Inheritance of two genes which produces thick sticky mucus

  Shortness of breath jaundice diarrhoea

  Physiotherapy massage to clear airways and lungs MRI and CT scans to detect what is wrong with lung

  Surgery for lung transplant Antibiotics to treat infections