Respiratory System
Parts of the Respiratory System
• The respiratory system has
ciliated cells
• The lungs are the organ in which
this system functions
• This system keeps the human
body alive and running by
oxygenating the blood and
removing carbon dioxide
• The function is to transport gases
to and from the circulatory
system
Mechanics of Breathing
• Breathing is a reaction due to changes of pressure in the
thorax.
• External respiration in some organisms includes inhaling and
exhaling
• Humans use the nose, mouth, trachea, lungs, and diaphragm
to breathe
• The diaphragm is a sheet of muscles that lies across the
bottom of the chest cavity and pumps carbon dioxide out of
the lungs and pump oxygen in
• When the diaphragm contracts it breathes in oxygen and
when it relaxes it breathes out the carbon dioxide
Alveolus
• Alveolus is any of the tiny air cells and lungs where oxygen
and carbon dioxide are exchanged
• We need this in our body to live or there would be too much
carbon dioxide and no oxygen in the lungs
• The alveoli have walls that are only one cell thick and are
called the respiratory surface
• This covers about 70 square meters and is surrounded by the
capillaries
Alveoli and Capillaries
• Alveoli are the tiny air cells of the lungs where carbon and
oxygen are exchanged
• Capillaries are the arterioles that branch into a network of
other tiny vessels
• The alveoli are surrounded by the capillaries. The capillaries
allow for the exchange of oxygen and other gases.
• The imbalance in the exchange of these gases can lead to
dangerous respiratory disorders.
Ciliated Epithelium
• Ciliated Epithelium is a lining on the respiratory passage that
defends against infections of the airways.
• Smoking breaks down the cilia and slowly wears it away.
• Epithelium is a basic type of animal tissue, nervous tissue, and
connective tissue
• Other functions include absorption, transcellular transport,
and detection of sensation
Larynx and Pharynx
•
•
•
•
Larynx is the organ of voice
Placed at the upper part of the air passage
Forms the lower anterior wall of the pharynx
The pharynx acts as a passageways for food on its way to the
stomach and air enroot to the lungs.
• The larynx joins the trachea and is located directly under the
pharynx
• Its formed from pieces of cartilage bound together by
ligaments
• Air is drawn from the pharynx to the larynx
Skin’s Role
• Skin contains sensory receptors that monitor the external
environment and mechanisms that rid the body of wastes
• Plants also have respiratory systems but the directionality of
gas exchange can be opposite to that in animals
• Respiration helps prevent the dehydration
Inherited Disorders
• Cystic fibrosis is a disease passed down through families that
cause thick sticky mucous to build up in the lungs, digestive
tract, and other areas of the body
• It is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and
young adults and it is a life-threatening disorder
• Another one is the Cardiac Asthma occurs in left ventricular
heart failure and must be distinguished from bronchial
asthma
Bibliography
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•
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"Diseases & Disorders of the Respiratory System." IvyRose Holistic : Holistic Health,
Alternative Medicine, Human Biology, Anatomy & Physiology and Chemistry Study Pages.
Web. 15 Dec. 2011. <http://www.ivyrose.co.uk/HumanBody/Respiratory/Respiratory_Conditions.php>.
"Respiratory System Information." University of Pennsylvania Health System | Penn Medicine.
Web. 15 Dec. 2011.
http://www.pennmedicine.org/health_info/body_guide/reftext/html/resp_sys_fin.html
Holt, Rineheart and Winston: Modern Biology