Respiratory System

What is the Trachea?

made of cartilage and connects the larynx and bronchus providing air to and from the lungs.

What is the Pharynx?

Muscular walls which allows food to be swallowed, air to be inhaled and is where the nose and oral cavity meet.

What are the bronchioles?

Tiny branches which go into the lungs.

What is the Larynx?

Location of the vocal cords, control pitch and volume of voice.

What are the Alveoli?

Located at end of bronchioles and are the site of gas exchange.

What are the important features of the alveoli?

Moist lining, large surface area, good supply of blood

What is Gaseous exchange?

This is the transport of gases from the atmosphere to the lungs and vice- versa. The process uses respiratory muscles to undergo Inspiration or Expiration.

Describe the process of Inspiration.

This is where oxygen enters the body and it occurs via: 1.) External intercostal muscles contract which forces the ribs upwards and outwards. 2.) Diaphragm contracts forcing it to flatten. 3.) Thoracic cavity volume increases and lung air pressure decreases causing air to rush in.

What is the Epiglottis?

Seals off windpipe during eating so food isn't inhaled.

What is the Bronchus?

Extension of the Trachea split into the left and right and allows oxygen to reach lungs.

What is the Diaphragm?

Muscle on the base of lungs and is the main muscle in breathing.

What are the internal intercostal muscles?

Muscle in between the ribs which facilitate exhalation.

What are the external intercostal muscles?

Muscles in between the ribs which facilitate inhalation.

What are the lungs?

Process gas exchange with oxygen coming in and carbon dioxide exiting.

Describe the process of Expiration.

This is where carbon dioxide leaves the body and it occurs via: 1.) Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax. 2.) Thoracic cavity decreases and lung pressure increases causing carbon dioxide to rush out.

What is meant by Tidal Volume?

The amount of air inspired or expired in a normal breath at rest. On average this is 0.5 litres.

What is meant by Vital Capacity?

Maximum amount of air that can be inspired or expired. This can be as much as 4.8 litres.

What is meant by Residual Volume?

The amount of air left in the lungs after forceful expiration. This air cannot be breathed out as it prevents the lungs from collapse. Average residual volume is 1.2 litres.

What is meant by Total Lung Volume?

This is Vital+ Residual Volume. This is approximately 6 litres.

What is meant by Pulmonary Ventilation?

Process in which air is transported into and out of the lungs in two phases (Air in/ Air out).

What is meant by Minute Ventilation?

Total litres of Gas inspired or expired in one minute.

What is the part of the brain which is responsible for the control of breathing?

Medulla Oblongata.

What are the two types of control for breathing?

1.) Neural Control. 2.) Chemical Control.

What is Neural Control of breathing?

Neurones in the medulla oblongata called the Dorsal respiratory group and Ventral respiratory group are responsible for rhythm generation and allows continuous breathing.

What is Chemical Control of breathing?

Chemoreceptors detect a change in level of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood and send signals to the medulla oblongata to increase the breathing rate to get more oxygen in the blood if it is too acidic.

What are the locations of the Chemoreceptors?

1.) Aortic arch. 2.) Carotid arteries.

What are the responses to exercise on the respiratory system?

1.) Increased breathing rate: Breathing rate can increase from 12 times a minute to 45 times or even 70 times for an elite athlete. 2.) Increase in Tidal Volume: Can go from 6 litres per minute to 60 litres during exercise.

What are the adaptations to exercise on the respiratory system?

1.) Increased strength of respiratory muscles: Increased use allows them to contract more forcibly which increases size of thoracic cavity. 2.) Increased Vital Capacity: Due to increased size of Thoracic cavity. 3.) Increase in oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion rate: Increased number of capillaries due to more training.

Define Partial pressure.

This tells us the amount of a particular gas is present.

What is the effect of Altitude training on the respiratory system?

To cope with a limited supply of oxygen the body produces more red blood cells to carry more oxygen.

Why is exercise not good for asthma?

1.) Reduced oxygen delivery to the muscles can causes an asthma attack. 2.) Speed of recovery after exercise can be slow.

Why is exercise good for asthma?

1.) Exercise increases strength of respiratory muscles. 2.) Exercise increases vital capacity. 3.) Exercise increases oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion rate.