Bio 20: Ch. 7 Respiratory System

• Respiration


  The process of where oxygen is supplied to the cells of the body to help with the breakdown of glucose and where carbon dioxide is transported to the lungs for exhaling
• Respiration


  • Usually involves the exchange of gasses between an organism and the environment
  • Cellular respiration is the process by which the cell breaks down fuel molecules, releasing carbon dioxide and energy
  • Requires oxygen
• Cells need oxygen in order to fuel the processes required for survival
• The waste product is carbon dioxide, which is then exhaled by the human body
• Respiratory Tract


  Made up of nasal passages, epiglottis, pharynx, glottis, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, lungs, pleural membrane, and the diaphragm
• Respiratory Tract


  1. Nasal passages

  2. Pharynx

  3. Epiglottis

  4. Glottis

  5. Larynx

  6. Trachea

  7. Bronchi

  8. Bronchioles

  9. Alveoli

  10. Lungs

  11. Pleural Membrane

  12. Diaphragm

  13. Intercostal muscles
• Nasal Passages


  • Lined with ciliated cells and cells that secrete mucus
  • Turbinate bones increase the surface area
  • The heat from the blood vessels warms the air
• Turbinate Bones


  Thin, curved, boney plates that project from the walls of the nasal cavity into the respiratory passageway
• Ciliated Cells


  Cells with tiny hairlike structures called Cilia, found throughout the respiratory system
• Pharynx


  Passageway into the respiratory system, also carries food and water throughout the digestive tract
• Epiglottis


  A flap of cartilage that lies behind the tongue, serves to close the opening of the trachea (the glottis) when a person swallows
• Glottis


  The opening to the trachea, must be covered while eating otherwise food will enter into the lungs
• Larynx


  The voice box of the body, contains the vocal cords
• Adam's Apple


  A layer of thick cartilage that helps to protect the Larynx
• Trachea


  Carries air to the lungs, covered with cilia that are coated with mucus, supported with rings of cartilage that keeps the trachea open
• Bronchi


  Carries air from the trachea into the left and right lung, like the trachea they are supported by cartilage rings and lined with mucus-producing cells and cilia
• Bronchioles


  Smaller airways inside the lungs, less than 1 mm in diameter, have smooth muscle walls that do not contain cartilage, lined with mucus-producing cells and cilia
• Cilia


  Tiny, hairlike structures that trap particles and beat dust and other sorts of unknown particles out to the pharynx where it can be horked out
• Alveoli


  Tiny clusters of air sacs found at the end of Bronchioles, the site of gas exchange where carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood is exchanged with oxygen
• Lungs


  The main organ of the Respiratory Tract, divided into lobes with the right lung having 3 and the left having 2 to make room for the heart
• Pleural Membranes


  Thin, fluid membranes that surround the lungs, reduce friction to help the lungs expand and contract with the movement of the chest
• Diaphragm


  A dome shaped sheet of muscle just below the lungs that separates the lungs (thoracic cavity) from the stomach and liver (abdominal cavity), aids in breathing movements and works with rib muscles to move air in and out of the lungs
• Intercostal Muscles


  Muscles between the ribs that allow ribs to expand and contract for breathing movements, nerve stimulus causes the muscles to contract
• Breathing


  1. Relies on movement of gasses from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure using the diaphragm

  2. CO2 increases in the bloodstream, detected by the brain, triggers the diaphragm to contract

  3. Diaphragm contraction creates low pressure in the lungs, air rushes in causing lungs to expand (inhalation)

  4. Gas exchange occurs (O2 diffuses into bloodstream, CO2 diffuses out)

  5. CO2 in bloodstream decreases, brain triggers diaphragm to relax, it moves upwards sending CO2 rich air out (exhalation)

  6. Cellular respiration can now continue as cells receive oxygen from the bloodstream and release CO2 as a by-product
• Tidal Volume


  The volume of air that is inhaled and exhaled when breathing normally (at rest)
• Inspiratory Reserve Volume


  Additional volume of air that can be taken into the lungs beyond regular (tidal) inhalation
• Expiratory Reserve Volume


  Additional volume of air that can be forced out of the lungs beyond regular (tidal) exhalation
• Vital Capacity


  The total lung volume capacity (Tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume + expiratory reserve volume)
• Residual Volume


  The amount of gas that remains in the lungs after full exhalation
• Smoking


  • Increases the amount of mucus secreted
  • Ciliated cells become damaged and less effective at cleanup
  • Coughing increases to clear the airways
  • Coughing irritates the airway, leading to a higher chance of getting an infection
  • Particles of dirt and other things accumulate in the lungs
  • Bronchial restriction can occur
• Carbon monoxide


  • Acts as a competitive inhibitor in the red blood cell
  • Attaches to the hemoglobin molecule 200x stronger and faster than CO2 or O2
  • Can be solved through a hyperbaric chamber