Circulation and respiratory systems

Question 1

Anatomy of the respiratory system

Answer 1

• Trachea
• Bronchi
• Lungs
• Alveoli

Question 2

Trachea function

Answer 2

To maintain an open airway, clean/warm/humidify inhaled air as well as the cilia that line the trachea form a mucociliary escalator to remove debris to the pharynx

Question 3

Bronchi

Answer 3

Starts outside of the lung with the left and right primary bronchi which after they have branched they enter the lung, then it branches into the secondary lobar bronchi which are in the lobes of the lung, then into the tertiary (lobule segmental) bronchi which are in the segments of the lungs and finally into the bronchioles)

Question 4

Lungs

Answer 4

The right lung is smaller than the left lung. The lung is split into these lobes and segments to ensure that if one part of the lung is damaged the rest of the lung can still function. The lungs have a large SA for gas exchange

Question 5

Alveoli

Answer 5

It is the site of gas exchange, they are bunched together to form alveolar sacs and branching from these sacs are the alveolar ducts. The respiratory membrane (blood-air barrier) consists of the alveolar and capillary walls and their joined basement membrane.

Question 6

Physiology of the respiratory system

Answer 6

Respiratory system function is gas exchange. This gas exchange consists of obtaining O2 from the atmosphere and removing CO2 from the blood. O2 is necessary for normal metabolism and CO2 is a waste product of this metabolism. Most of the organs of the respiratory system help to distribute air, but only the tiny, grape-like alveoli and the alveolar ducts are responsible for actual gas exchange.