structure and function of respiratory system Flashcards
summarise pathway of air
enters nasal passage past the pharynx (food pipe) which closes, through the larynx, through the trachea (wind pipe), into left and right bronchi (lung pipes) to the bronchioles which distribute air throughout lungs) into the the alevoli (air sacs)
what are alveoli and what do they do
they are the site of gaseous exchange which are one cell thick and surrounded by a network of capillaries
describe the movement of oxygen in the lungs
oxygen moves from the alveoli (high conc.) into the blood (low conc.) to transport round body
describe movement of co2 in lungs
co2 moves from the blood (high conc.) into the lungs (low conc.) to be breathed out
what are the respiratory muscles
the diaphragm and the intercoastal muscles
what happens during inspiration (breathing in)
respiratory muscles contract making the diaphragm flatten and rib cage expands, lung volume increases lung air pressure falls and air flows into lungs
what happens during expiration ( breathing out)
respiratory muscles relax making the diaphragm raise and rib cage falls, lung volume decreases lung air pressure raises resulting in air flow out of lungs
whats breathing rate
number of breaths per minute
whats tidal volume
volume of air inhaled or exhaled per breath
whats minute ventilation
volume of air inhaled or exhaled per minute
calculation for minute ventilation
tidal volume x breathing rate
whats lung volume
amount of air inspired/ expired per normal breath
why does tidal volume change during exercise
more oxygen is needed to be inspired for respiration
more carbon dioxide is needed to be removed as a waste product
whats vital capacity
maximum amount of air lungs can expire after maximum amount of air inspired
what are the bronchi
plural version of bronchus, thick tubes that take air to the lungs once in the lungs
what are bronchioles
smaller airways than bronchi
how is energy produced in the body
by aerobic and anaerobic respiration
how is fat broken down into glucose
for aerobic respiration requires oxygen to break down to glucose - slow break down but once broken down provides large quantities of energy
how are carbohydrates broken down into glucose
for both aerobic and anaerobic respiration as do not require oxygen to break down into glucose. Don’t give off as much energy fats, easier to breakdown so faster energy release
