A&P 12: Respiratory System + Cardiovascular Circulation

What is the respiratory system?

It is a group of tissues and organs that enable you to breathe in order to deliver oxygen to your red blood cells

What is the respiratory system’s primary function?

Its primary function is to supply oxygen to our cells

As we breathe, what compound gets removed from our cells?

Carbon dioxide gets removed

Which part of the respiratory system separates the upper and lower parts?

The larynx separates it

How are the upper and lower respiratory system divided?

It is divided above the larynx and below the larynx

How does the nasal cavity trap dust, germs and other particles?

Tiny hairs and mucus trap in the nasal cavity prevent foreign objects from entering the lungs

Which part of the respiratory system does the nasal cavity lead to?

It leads to the nasopharynx

What does the term “conchae” refer to?"

Any spongy bone found outside the nasal cavities

Other than providing an orifice for air to enter the body, what are the secondary functions of the nasal cavity?

To moisten, warm, and filter the air as it enters the body

What is the function of the sinuses?

Its function is to produce mucus that lines the nasal cavity

How can a sinus infection lead to a headache?

As the sinuses swell up and produce extra mucus, it can build up pressure and push on surrounding tissues and nerves

What are the three parts of the throat?

Nasopharynx, laryngopharynx, oropharynx

Which part of the pharynx does air enter first?

It enters the nasopharynx first

What is the nasopharynx’s primary function?

Its primary function is to connect the nasal cavity to the oropharynx

What is the oropharynx also known as?

It is also known as the middle portion of the throat

What is the primary function of the laryngopharynx?

Its primary function is to guide both air and food to their proper passages

Which organ is known as the “voice box?”

The larynx

What is the larynx’s primary function?

Its primary function is to produce sound

How does the larynx produce sound?

When air travels through the larynx, air is used to create a pressure that vibrates vocal cords

Which structure protects our airway when we swallow?

The epiglottis protects our airway when we swallow

What is the Adam Apple’s other name?

Laryngeal prominence

What is the Adam’s Apple made of?

It is made of bony cartilage that wraps around the larynx

What is laryngitis?

An infection within the tissues of the larynx

Which organ does the trachea lead to?

It leads to the lungs

Why is it important that the trachea contains flexible cartilage rather than fixed bone?

It allows the trachea to remain open, while still being able to bend and move with the neck

Which structure does the trachea split into?

It splits into bronchi

What do the bronchi branch into inside the lungs?

They branch into smaller tubes called bronchioles

What structure do bronchioles lead to?

It leads to alveoli

What is the main function of the bronchi?

To transport air from the trachea to the lungs

In which lung structure does gas exchange happen?

It happens in the alveoli

What is bronchitis?

An infection/inflammation of bronchial tube lining

How many lobes does the right lung contain?

It contains 3 lobes

How many lobes does the left lung contain?

It contains 2 lobes

Why do the right and left lungs contain different amounts of lobes?

Because of heart’s position. The left lung is smaller because it has to make room for the heart.

Which vessel is involved in gas exchange at the alveoli?

Gas exchange at the alveoli occurs in the capillaries

What are the three lobes of the right lung?

Superior lobe, middle lobe, and inferior lobe

What are the two lobes of the left lung?

Superior lobe and inferior lobe

List all bronchi in order from largest to smallest in diameter

Primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, and bronchioles

As blood exits the lungs, it is _______________

Oxygenated

As blood enters the lungs, it is _______________

Deoxygenated

What are terminal bronchioles?

They are the ends of bronchioles, which lead to alveoli

Which vessel is alveoli covered with?

It is covered with capillaries

How do oxygen and carbon dioxide relate to breaking down food?

It’s a part of the reaction necessary for breaking down sugar into usable energy for our cells

Which air compound is attracted to the hemoglobin found on our red blood cells?

Oxygen is attracted to the hemoglobin found on our red blood cells

What is the respiratory membrane?

The thin barrier where gas exchange happens between air in the alveoli and blood in the capillaries

How thick is the respiratory membrane?

0.5-1.5 micrometres (µm)

What structures make up the respiratory membrane?

The alveolar wall, the capillary wall, and a thin basement membrane between them

What is a carcinogen?

A chemical that may cause cancer

How can smoking cause cancer?

Tobacco smoke contains carcinogenic chemicals, which can cause mutations in the DNA of cells if inhaled.

What does COPD stand for?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

It is a group of progressive lung diseases that cause difficulty breathing due to obstruction of airflow

In what ways does COPD affect alveolar membranes?

People with COPD have inflamed or destroyed alveolar membranes

How do inflamed or destroyed alveolar membranes cause difficulty in breathing?

It may cause difficulty in breathing since it reduces the surface area available for gas exchange

What disease is characterized by the formation of air pockets in the lungs

Emphysema, a type of COPD

How does CPR help blood flow?

It helps blood flow by performing manual chest compressions that mimic the heart’s pumping action

What is the primary stimulus for breathing?

The amount of carbon dioxide in the blood

Where does hemoglobin readily take up oxygen, and why?

In the lungs, where the pH is high (basic/alkaline) and the temperature is low (cooler)

How is most carbon dioxide carried in the blood?

As the bicarbonate ion in the plasma

How does carbon dioxide drive the breathing process?

High levels of carbon dioxide lower blood pH. Chemoreceptors detect this and signal for increased breathing to expel CO₂ and raise pH

What is inspiration?

It is the process of breathing in air

What happens to the diaphragm during inspiration?

The diaphragm contracts and moves downward

How does an increase in chest cavity volume bring in air?

It creates a pressure difference, causing air to flow into the lungs to equalize the lower lung pressure.

What is expiration?

It is the process of breathing out air

How does lowered chest volume during expiration force air out?

owered chest volume increases lung pressure, causing air to flow out to equalize the pressure.

Which enzyme helps turn carbon dioxide into bicarbonate in the tissues and back into carbon dioxide in the lungs?

Carbonic anhydrase

How does hemoglobin in red blood cells carry carbon dioxide?

A compound called carbaminohemoglobin is formed, allowing red blood cells to carry carbon dioxide

What is the role of hemoglobin in maintaining blood pH?

Hemoglobin helps buffer blood pH by binding to hydrogen ions (H⁺) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), stabilizing blood pH.

What is the complete chemical equation for cellular respiration?

C6H12O6 ​+ 6O2 ​→ 6CO2 ​+ 6H2O +Energy (ATP)

Why does cellular respiration occur?

To produce ATP, which provides energy for cellular functions

What is the thoracic cavity?

It is the chest cavity that houses organs such as the heart and lungs. It is enclosed by the rib cage, spin, and diaphragm.

What is the medula oblongata?

It is a part of the brainstem, located at the brain’s base just above the spinal cord

How does the medula oblongata play a role in breathing?

It contains chemoreceptors that monitor levels of CO2, O2, and pH in the blood

What compound is formed when hemoglobin binds with oxygen?

Oxyhemoglobin is formed

What is the role of oxyhemoglobin?

It transports oxygen throughout the body, helping maintain an oxygen balance

Which tissue surrounds + protects the lungs, and lines the thoracic cavity?

Pleural membranes

What are the two pleural membranes?

Visceral/inner pleura, and parietal/outer pleura

How is inhalation stopped when the lungs are filled with air?

Stretch receptors in the lungs send signals to the medulla oblongata, which inhibits further contraction of the diaphragm and rib muscles, stopping inhalation

Which compound is this? → O2

Oxygen

Which compound is this? → Hb

Hemoglobin

Which compound is this? → HHb

Reduced hemoglobin

Which compound is this? → H+

Hydrogen ion

Which compound is this? → HCO3-

Bicarbonate ion

Which compound is this? → CO2

Carbon dioxide

Which compound is this? → HbO2

Oxyhemoglobin

Which compound is this? → HbCO2

Carbaminohemoglobin

Which compound is this? → H2CO3

Carbonic acid

Which compound is this? → H2O

Water

Why must carbon dioxide be removed from the blood?

Because high CO2 levels make blood acidic, lowering pH and disrupting cellular functions

Which structure divides the two nasal cavities

The nasal septum divides the nasal cavities

What is ciliated mucosa?

It’s tissue with cilia that moves mucus to trap and remove debris, protecting the lungs

About how long is the trachea?

10-12cm long

What structure supports the trachea?

C-shaped rings of cartilage supports the trachea, keeping it open and preventing it from collapsing

What is the central space in the thoracic cavity named?

It is named the mediastinum

How do pleural membranes make breathing occur more smoothly?

It reduces friction during breathing with its pleural fluid and helps lungs stick to the chest wall

What are the four events of respiration?

Pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, respiratory gas transport, and internal respiration

What is pulmonary ventilation?

The movement of air into and out of the lungs (inhalation and exhalation)

What is external respiration?

The exchange of gases between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries (oxygen enters blood, carbon dioxide exits)

What is respiratory gas transport?

The transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and body tissues via the bloodstream

What is internal respiration?

The exchange of gases between the blood and body cells (oxygen moves into cells, carbon dioxide moves into blood).

What classifies a non-respiratory air movement?

Any movement of air through the respiratory tract that is not related to normal breathing is classified as a non-respiratory air movement