Victoria Camera
TR Structure and Functions
December 6, 2012
Structure and Function Advanced Organizer
Chapter 19
Please complete all of the following:
1. List the general functions of the respiratory system.
The general functions of the respiratory systems are the exchange of gases between the
air in the lungs and the blood, the exchange of gases between the blood and the body
cells, transport of gases by the blood between the lungs and body cells, movement of air
in and out of the lungs, and cellular respiration.
2. Explain why oxygen is required at the cellular level.
Oxygen is required at the cellular level for two main reasons. Without oxygen, all of the
chemical reactions during cellular respiration would stop and lactic acid would be
created. And also during the aerobic reaction, oxygen eliminates C02 at a quick enough
pace to maintain the pH level of the internal environment. Oxygen is necessary for the
aerobic processes to take place.
3. Explain how the nose and nasal cavity filter incoming air.
The nostrils of the nose are lined with internal hairs that begin to filter incoming air.
These prevent entry of large particles carried in the air. The nasal cavity, which the nose
provides entrance to, has mucous lining filters. This sticky mucous membrane entraps
dust and all other small particles entering. It also warms and moistens incoming air.
4. Name the successive branches of the bronchial tree from the primary bronchi to the
alveoli and identify their functions.
The right and left primary bronchi are the two main branches. Then come the secondary
or lobar bronchi (two on the left and three on the right). Tertiary or segmental bronchi
supply portions of the lungs. Next come interlobular bronchioles that enter the basic units
of the lung, the lobules. Terminal bronchioles then occupy a lobule of the lung. Two or
more respiratory bronchioles then branch from the terminal bronchioles. Alveolar ducts
branch from each respiratory bronchiole, these ducts contain alveolar sacs. Lastly, alveoli
open to alveolar sac. Air can travel from the ducts, through the sac, into the alveoli.
5. Match the air volumes with their descriptions:
1: tidal volume
C
a. air that remains after forceful expiration
2: inspiratory reserve volume B
b. volume of air, in addition to resting volume that
can enter lungs
3: expiratory reserve volume D
c. amount of air that enters and leaves lungs during
respiratory cycle
4: residual volume
A
d. volume of air, in addition to resting tidal volume
that can be expelled from lungs.
6. Explain control of the basic rhythm of breathing.
The respiratory areas that contain neurons control the basic rhythm of breathing. The
neurons in the brainstem initiate bursts of impulses that signal the diaphragm, causing
inspiration and expiration. Those neurons travel on cranial and spinal nerves.
7. Describe the effects of emotions on breathing.
An emotional episode could begin to alter normal breathing pattern. This may turn into a
rapid pattern, such as hypoventilation. The respiratory muscles are voluntary, we can
alter breathing patterns consciously or even stop it altogether for a short time.
8. Summarize the exchange of oxygen and CO² across the respiratory membrane.
The partial pressure of the oxygen level in the atmospheric pressure is higher than that in
the blood, which allows for diffusion of oxygen into the blood. The partial pressure of the
carbon dioxide level is higher in the blood than in the atmosphere so diffusion occurs out
of the blood into the atmosphere.
9. Describe how the blood transports oxygen.
Red blood cells, which hemoglobin molecules, transport majority of the oxygen in our
bodies. The remainder is dissolved in the blood plasma.
10. List the three factors that increase the release of oxygen from hemoglobin.
Three factors that increase the release of oxygen from hemoglobin are the blood
concentration of carbon dioxide(decrease in it), the blood ph(increased acidity), and the
blood temp (presence of a high fever). Also, the presence of carbon monoxide and
increased biophosphoglycerate can be factors.