Respiratory System & Breathing – Lecture Review

Question-and-answer flashcards covering key terms, structures, and processes related to human respiration, the respiratory system’s anatomy, and the mechanics of breathing.

What is respiration in the human body?

A chemical process that involves the exchange of gases between the lungs, blood, and body cells.

What is breathing?

The physical act of inhaling and exhaling air through the lungs.

Name the four processes that make up respiration.

1) Breathing, 2) External respiration, 3) Transport of respiratory gases, 4) Internal respiration.

During which respiratory process does gas exchange between the alveoli and the blood occur?

External respiration.

Which respiratory process involves blood carrying oxygen to cells and carbon dioxide back to the alveoli?

Transport of respiratory gases.

During which process does gas exchange occur between the blood and body cells?

Internal respiration.

State two primary functions of the respiratory system.

Taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.

Besides gas exchange, list two additional functions of the respiratory system.

Protects from harmful particles/germs and allows smelling and speaking.

What is the main function of the upper respiratory tract?

To bring air into the body and move it toward the lungs.

How does the upper respiratory tract condition the incoming air?

It adds moisture to the air you breathe in.

Which structures form the first entry point for inhaled air?

The nostrils or nares.

Which region of the nasal cavity traps microorganisms and contains cilia?

The vestibule region.

What is the role of cilia in the nasal vestibule?

They sweep trapped foreign particles out of the airway.

Which nasal cavity region warms the inhaled air?

The respiratory region.

Which nasal cavity region contains highly sensitive cells for smell?

The olfactory region.

What is the pharynx, and what dual role does it serve?

The throat; it serves as a common chamber for inhaled air and digested food.

What flap prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing?

The epiglottis.

What is the larynx commonly called?

The voice box.

What is the trachea commonly called and what is its function?

The windpipe; it transports air to and from the lungs.

What are bronchi and what is their function?

Two large tubes that carry air from the windpipe to the lungs.

What are bronchioles?

Smaller branches that arise when the bronchi subdivide.

What are alveoli and why are they important?

Tiny grape-like air sacs at the ends of bronchioles; they are the actual sites of gas exchange.

Which organs are the main site for gas exchange in the respiratory system?

The lungs.

What is the diaphragm and its role during breathing?

A muscle that helps inhale and exhale by changing thoracic volume.

What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?

It contracts and moves downward to allow lung expansion.

Name the muscles between the ribs that assist breathing.

Intercostal muscles.

Approximately how many breaths per minute does an average person take?

About 12 to 15 breaths per minute.

What red-blood-cell protein carries oxygen from the air sacs to the blood?

Hemoglobin.

List the bones that help protect and support the lungs.

Ribcage, ribs, sternum, and vertebrae.

What is the ribcage?

The protective case surrounding the lungs, heart, and other chest organs.

How many ribs does a typical human have?

Twenty-four ribs.

What is the sternum?

The breastbone located at the center of the chest.

What forms the vertebral column and how many vertebrae does it include?

Thirty-three interlocking bones called vertebrae forming the spine.