Respiratory System

Respiration

a series of chemical changes in cells that release energy

Respiration equation

C₆H₁₂O₆+6O₂=6CO₂+6H₂O+Energy (apt)

Respiratory system

the group of organs enabling the body to obtain oxygen from air

Nasal inhalation

the nose warms, moistens, and filters the air through hairs tiny cilia, and mucus (produced by mucous glands), which then moves to the back of the nose and into the pharynx, before being swallowed

Pharynx

a muscular, funnel shaped tube, also known as the throat, connecting the back of your nose to the larynx

Larynx

hollow organ at the front of the neck connecting the pharynx to the trachea, also housing the vocal chords, commonly called the voice box

Trachea

a long tube passing from the larynx to the lungs, also known as the windpipe, where inhaled air then passes into

Epiglottis

a flap of skin that seals off the trachea when swallowing to prevent the inhalation of food and water

Tracheal protection

vocal folds of the larynx, reflexive action of coughing, epiglottis

Bronchi

two branches going into either lung at the bottom of the trachea, dividing further and further until they split into bronchioles

Bronchioles

smallest branches of the respiratory system, which sprout alveoli

Alveoli

500 million tiny air sacs lying close to hte capillaries, with a one cell thick wall and large surface area totaling 80m², where gas exchange occurs

Gas exchange

oxygen breathed in passes into the bloodstream through the alveoli, while carbon dioxide does the opposite

Diffusion

a process in which substances naturally move form areas with high concentration to areas of lower concentration

Inhaled air chemical ratios

Nitrogen 79%, Oxyegen 21%, Carbon Dioxide 0.04%

Exhaled air chemical ratios

Nitrogen 79.5%, Oxygen 14%, Carbon Dioxide 5.6%

Diaphragm

sheet of muscular tissue seperating the chest from the abdomen

Inhalation

ribs move up and out (due to intercostal muscles), diaphragm contracts, chest expands

Exhalation

ribs move down and in, diaphragm relaxes, chest deflates