Breathing and Respiration - Key Terms and Points

Respiration

The chemical reaction that occurs in all living cells, whereby energy is released from glucose.

(What, where, whereby)

Breathing

A general term that is used to describe the movement of air into and out of the lungs.

(Think Zumba dancer - movement)

Gas exchange

Absorbing oxygen from the air and getting rid of carbon dioxide.

(Think of a sponge)

What is the trachea?

A tube that runs from the mouth, down the throat towards the lungs.

It is lined with rings of cartilage to keep it open at all times.

What are the lungs?

Spongy, air-filled organs.

What are alveoli?

Air sacs that allow gas exchange.

What are bronchi?

Tubes in the lungs that direct air to and from the alveoli.

Each bronchus leads to a lung. The trachea splits into a left/right bronchus.

What are bronchioles?

Tubes in the lungs that direct air to and from the alveoli.

What is pleural fluid?

A fluid that reduces friction when breathing.

What is the pleural membrane?

The lining that produces pleural fluid to lubricate.

Thin layers reducing friction between the lungs and the inside of the chest during breathing.

What is the diaphragm?

A sheet of muscle that separates your chest (thorax) from the rest of the body beneath it (abdomen).

It contracts and relaxes with the intercostal muscles during breathing.

(Sheet - ton of muscle)

What are the ribs?

Bones that move when you breathe.

Forms a chest wall with the ribs.

Contracts and relaxes with the diaphragm during breathing.

What are the intercostal muscles?

Muscles in between the ribs that form the chest wall.

What is ventilation?

The flow of air into and out of your lungs.