Exploring the Respiratory System

The Respiratory System
Respiration- is the process of air exchange, oxygen is obtained and carbon dioxide is eliminated.
The four parts of respiration include
• Ventilation - movement of air between the atmosphere and alveoli.
• Diffusion- carbon dioxide and oxygen are transferred between alveoli and blood.
• Regulation- respiratory muscles and nervous system.
• Perfusion- blood flows though lungs.
The Respiratory system consists of the Nose, Lungs, trachea, larynx, pharynx, bronchi and bronchioles mainly. And are divided into an upper and Lower Tract.
The main functions of the respiratory system is to
1. Gas exchange
2. Regulation of blood PH
3. Produce sound
4. Smell receptors
5. Supply oxygen to the body and to eliminate carbon dioxide
The upper respiratory tract consist of the Nose, larynx, pharynx and trachea
1. Nose – provides airway for respiration and filters air. Detects odor
2. Larynx- the voice box, main functions are
• Speech.
• Breathing.
• Close during swallowing (prevent chocking)
• Open during breathing.
3. Pharynx- passage way for food and air other functions include
• Vocalization.
• Equalizing air pressure in the middle ear.
• Work with our digestive system to stop food from “going down the wrong pipe”
• Swallowing.
• Contains the tonsils.
• Normal function is to prevent infection.
4. Trachea- “Wind pipe” (lined with ciliated and mucous cells)
• Allows air to flow though the larynx and bronchi and divides air flow between the lungs and bronchioles.
• Also traps dust particles from entering the lungs
• (Damage to the cilia can cause chronic coughing)
The Lower Respiratory tract consists mainly of the lungs bronchi and bronchioles.
1. Lungs – the most vital part of the respiratory system are divided into two side left and right
• Right – has 3 lobes an upper, middle and lower lobe that’s a horizontal and oblique fissure. (Located superiorly due to the liver on the right side)
• Left- has 2 lobes a upper and lower that are only a oblique fissure.(smaller than the right lung)
2. Bronchi- small passages composed of hyaline cartilage
• Two bronchi’s are in the body that branch off from the trachea
• They are lined with mucus and cilia to wipe particles from the airways
3. Bronchioles- passage way where air passes though the nose or mouth and to the lungs.
• Works with gas exchange.
• Transfers fresh air though out our body.
Cellular respiration – “is the set of the metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products” (definition)
• Cellular respiration is vital in the respiratory system cause cells in the body will die if the respiratory system fails.