The respiratory system allows for gas exchange between the lungs and blood. Air enters through the nose and mouth, passes through the pharynx and larynx, and travels down the trachea into the lungs. In the lungs, bronchioles branch off the trachea and further divide into tiny alveoli where oxygen diffuses into blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. The network of organs involved in breathing helps absorb oxygen and remove waste from the blood to sustain the body's organs.
The respiratory system allows for gas exchange between the lungs and blood. Air enters through the nose and mouth, passes through the pharynx and larynx, and travels down the trachea into the lungs. In the lungs, bronchioles branch off the trachea and further divide into tiny alveoli where oxygen diffuses into blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. The network of organs involved in breathing helps absorb oxygen and remove waste from the blood to sustain the body's organs.
The respiratory system allows for gas exchange between the lungs and blood. Air enters through the nose and mouth, passes through the pharynx and larynx, and travels down the trachea into the lungs. In the lungs, bronchioles branch off the trachea and further divide into tiny alveoli where oxygen diffuses into blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. The network of organs involved in breathing helps absorb oxygen and remove waste from the blood to sustain the body's organs.
The respiratory system allows for gas exchange between the lungs and blood. Air enters through the nose and mouth, passes through the pharynx and larynx, and travels down the trachea into the lungs. In the lungs, bronchioles branch off the trachea and further divide into tiny alveoli where oxygen diffuses into blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. The network of organs involved in breathing helps absorb oxygen and remove waste from the blood to sustain the body's organs.
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Science Learning Sheet #1
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Your respiratory system is the network of organs and tissues that help you breathe. This system helps your body absorb oxygen from the air so your organs can work. It also cleans waste gases, such as carbon dioxide, from your blood.
A. The Process of Respiration
1. Breathing- The exchange of air between the atmosphere and the air sacs of the lungs. This is accomplished by inhalation through which oxygen passes into the cells lining the inside of the lungs and exhalation through which the Carbon Dioxide passes from the lung cells into the environment. 2. Diffusion- the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the respiratory membranes. It involves the diffusion of oxygen from the air sacs into the blood and the release of carbon dioxide from the blood. 3. Transport of Gases- wherein oxygen is carried into the cells and carbon dioxide.
B. Parts of the Respiratory System and its Functions
The Nasal Cavities Air enters the body through the openings of the nose called nostrils. Inside the nostrils is a pair of passages called nasal cavity. The nasal cavities are lined with mucous membrane and coarse hair-like projections called cilia. As you breathe through the nose, air entering the nasal cavity is moistened and warmed by the blood flowing in the capillaries of the mucous membrane. The mucous membrane protects the lungs from microorganism and other foreign materials. Cilia filter the air and trap the dust and other particles.
The Pharynx The pharynx is also called the throat. This passageway that is divided into two smaller passages. One allows entry of air into the respiratory tract and other food and liquid into esophagus and the digestive system. The Larynx The larynx commonly called as the voice box is located between the pharynx and the trachea. In the larynx, voice is produced through the two elastic ligaments- the vocal chords. Air coming from the lungs caused the vocal cords to vibrate and produce sounds. The length and tension of the vocal chords determine the pitch of the voice. For instance, a sharp pitch is produced by short and tense vocal cord. A low pitch is produced by long and more relaxed vocal cords. The space between the vocal chords is glottis. The epiglottis is a flap of elastic tissue that forms a cover on top of the larynx. This structure ensures that food and air enter the body through different pathways. The epiglottis is upright at rest when air passes through larynx. But when food and water pass through into the esophagus, the epiglottis folds backward to cover the entrance of the larynx. The Trachea Your trachea is a long, U-shaped tube that connects your larynx (voice box) to your lungs. The trachea is often called the windpipe. It's a key part of your respiratory system. When you breathe in, air travels from your nose or mouth through your larynx. The Bronchi and Bronchioles The bronchi carry air into your lungs. At the end of the bronchi, the bronchioles carry air to small sacs in your lungs called alveoli. The alveoli perform your body's gas exchange. \
The Lungs
The lungs are the primary organs of respiration.
Diffusion of gases takes place in the lungs through extremely thin and delicate tissues. The lungs are located by side in the thoracic (chest)cavity which is separated from the abdominal cavity by the muscular partition called diaphragm. The lungs are covered by a thin tissue called pleura. The pleura keeps each lung moist and enables it to move with very little friction in the chest cavity while breathing. Each lung is divided into lobes. The right lung has three lobes and slightly larger than the left which has two lobes.
The Alveoli The smallest branches of bronchioles lead to a cluster of microscopic, balloon-like air sacs. The thin and moist wall of each alveolus provides easy passage of gases. It is a hollow cup-shaped cavity where gas exchange takes place.
C. Air Path of Respiratory System
When you inhale through your nose or mouth, air travels down your pharynx (back of your throat), passes through your larynx (voice box) and into your trachea (windpipe). Your trachea is divided into two air passages called bronchial tubes. One bronchial tube leads to your left lung, the other to your right lung.
