Gaseous Exchange and Respiration Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering terms, definitions, organs, and processes related to breathing, gaseous exchange, and cellular respiration.

Aerobic

Occurring in the presence of oxygen.

Anaerobic

Occurring in the absence of oxygen.

Aquatic

(Plants and animals) living in water.

Terrestrial

(Plants and animals) living on land.

Breathing / ventilation

Mechanical process of inhalation and exhalation through which air moves in and out of the respiratory organs enabling the uptake of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide.

Carbohydrate

A large group of organic compounds found in cells, including glucose, sucrose, and starch.

Cellular respiration

The breakdown of organic compounds (glucose / sugar) in the mitochondria of cells into inorganic products ($CO_2$ and $H_2O$) with the release of cellular energy (ATP); either aerobic or anaerobic.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Gaseous exchange

The exchange of $O_2$ and $CO_2$ at a respiratory surface occurring between the air and blood and blood and cells.

Glucose

A simple sugar which is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.

Mitochondrion

An organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which cellular respiration and energy production occur.

Respiratory surface

A membrane through which gas exchange takes place.

Surface area

The combination of all the exposed surfaces of the organism.

Volume

The space taken up by the organism.

Surface area to volume ratio

The amount of surface an organism has relative to its size.

Operculum

A bony cover that protects the gills in bony fish.

Tracheal system

An extensively branched network of tubules (tracheae and tracheoles) throughout the body of an insect used for gaseous exchange.

Nostrils

Two openings in the nose through which air from the atmosphere is inhaled.

Nasal Cavity

Internal cavity lined with ciliated columnar epithelium and goblet cells that moistens, warms, and filters incoming air.

Pharynx

Throat region that connects the nasal cavity with the larynx and allows entry of gases into the trachea and oesophagus.

Larynx

Structure containing the vocal cords that produces sound when air passes over them.

Epiglottis

A cartilage structure on top of the larynx that closes when food is swallowed, preventing food from entering the trachea.

C-shaped cartilage rings

Structures that protect the trachea and bronchi and keep them open so they do not collapse during breathing.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles that serve as the main sites for gaseous exchange.

Pleural fluid

Fluid surrounding the elastic lungs that acts as a lubricant to help prevent friction during inhalation and exhalation.

Intercostal muscles

Muscles found between the rib bones that contract and relax during inhalation and exhalation to alter thoracic cavity volume.

Diaphragm

A sheet of gaseous exchange muscle below the lungs separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Oxyhaemoglobin

The compound formed when oxygen combines with the pigment haemoglobin inside red blood cells.

Homeostasis

A process of maintaining a constant internal environment within the body.

Inhalation

The active phase of breathing taking air into the lungs, involving muscle contraction of the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles.

Exhalation

The passive phase of breathing where air is pushed out of the lungs as muscles relax.

Spirometer

An instrument used to measure the volume of air that enters and leaves the human lungs during inhalation and exhalation.

Medulla oblongata

The part of the brain containing respiratory centre cells that are stimulated when carbon dioxide levels rise in the blood.