BI 233 - Respiratory Lecture Study Guide

What are the functions of the respiratory system?

to take in air rhythmically and expels it from the body to deliver oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide.

What are the structures of the respiratory system?

nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs,

Describe the structure of hemoglobin:

4 polypeptide chains (globin) and four heme groups

Why do we need to take in (breathe) oxygen, in general?

we need O2 to fuel cellular respiration - ATP production, gas exchange, and tissue require oxygen. No breathing = your ded

What is the nose and what are its function?

to warm and moisturize the air before it reaches the lungs

Nasal conchae/turbinates - project from the lateral walls. What are the function _____?

mucous membranes of turbinates have a large surface area, so as air enters, the turbulence of its movement gives it time to interact with mucosa and thus warm up, clean, humidify

What do goblet cells do?

secrete mucous to trap pathogens

What is the olfactory epithelium?

specialized tissue lining the nasal cavity for smell

What is the erectile tissue (in regards to the respiratory system)?

it plays a role in regulating airflow resistance and is found in the nasal septum and turbinates

What are the respiratory epithelium?

pseudostratified columnar with cilia, stratified squamous, simple squamous (alveoli)

What is the pharynx?

muscular funnel that expends ~13 cm from the back of the nose to the larynx (shared by digestive system) - includes the nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

What is the function of the pharynx?

passageway for air, food, and liquid

What tissue type does the nasopharynx have?

pseudostratified columnar with cilia

What tissue type does the oropharynx have?

stratified squamous

What tissue type does the laryngopharynx have?

stratified squamous

What is the function of the nasopharynx?

to receive the auditory tubes from the middle ear, house the pharyngeal tonsil, and allow air (only) in

What is the function of the oropharynx?

passageway for air, food, and liquid

What is the function of the laryngopharynx?

passageway for air, food, and liquid

What are the functions of the larynx?

to keep food and liquids out of the airway, also, it produces sound (phonation)

The larynx is comprised of what structures?

the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, cricothyroid ligament, cricotracheal ligament, the thyrohyoid membrane, glottis, vestibular fold, and vocal cord

What is the structure and function of the epiglottis?

a flap at the root of the tongue that stands almost vertically at rest. During swallowing, epiglottis closes the airway and directs food and drink into the esophagus behind it. Elastic cartilage covered with epithelium.

What is the structure and function of the vestibular folds?

not majorly involved in speech, but close the larynx during swallowing (supported by vestibular ligaments).

What is the structure and function of the vocal cords?

produce sound when air passes between them. Contain vocal ligaments and are covered with stratified squamous epithelium.

What is the structure and function of the Glottis?

made from the vestibular fold and vocal cord, produces sound, and closes the larynx during swallowing

What is the trachea's structure and function?

made of 16-20 C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage, covered by pseudostratified columnar epithelium and conducts air to the lungs

What is the mucociliary escalator?

It is a mechanism for debris removal found in the respiratory system. Thick mucus in the airways trap inhaled particles including dust, food particles, and invading pathogens.

Why are the two lungs not symmetrical?

the heart is situated more on the left part of the body; therefore, the left lung has the cardiac impression (notch) to facilitate the quality placement. Additionally, the right lung has three lobes and the left has two lobes

What is the structure and function of the bronchial tree?

a branching network of air passages within the lungs, crucial for conducting air to and from the lungs