Created by Tom Brown, Maddalyn Erato, Mike McGowan, Ariel Schofield

The Respiratory System

The Main Functions of the respiratory system

1. Allows oxygen in the atmosphere to enter the bloodstream and Carbon Dioxide to leave the blood and enter the atmosphere.

2. Sense of smell is obtained when molecules from the atmosphere are taken down the nasal cavity.

3. Air moves past the vocal cords to make our unique sound and speech.4. Provides a shield against microorganisms by blocking them from entering the body by

removing them from the system entirely.5. Maintain the blood’s pH(acidity/alkalinity)

Tracheal Cells Structure and function

Structure- single layer of cells, some cells are thin and some can reach the free surface(boundary), but some can not. The nuclei of the cells are all different and some are arranged in layers, the cells are related to goblet cells(cells shaped like goblets that secrete mucus) and contain cilia(microscopic hair like process).

Function- to build and discharge mucus onto the free surface and move mucus that contains un-recognized particles over the surface of the free surface and from passageways

Advantage: The structure contains cells that can/can not reach the boundary, so there is space near the free surface to build and discharge the mucus onto, this way the foreign material can be easily taken out of the body.

Trachea

A huge membranous tube protected by cartilage(tissue) covering the larynx to the bronchial tubes and moving air to and from the lungs.

Lungs

Removes the Carbon Dioxide from the body and provides Oxygen for the

blood

Diaphragm

Contracts and increases the volume of the thorax , so it

inflates the lungs

Epiglotis

Tissue at the root of the tongue, it is used to cover the opening

of the windpipe

Larynx

Hollow muscular organ that forms a path for air to be

transported to the lungs and holds the vocal cords(voice box)

Vocal cords(Voice Box)

Folds of membranous tissue that forms a slit across the epiglottis in the throat, edges vibrate in the airway to produce the organism’s unique voice.

The “Breathing” Process

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiT621PrrO0&feature=related

You inhale oxygen inflating your lungs and pushing down on the diaphragm. You exhale carbon dioxide by deflating your lungs and pushing up on your diaphragm. The Alveoli are sacs in your lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. You get oxygen from the atmosphere and you expel carbon dioxide by your diaphragm and ribs pushing up and close to your lungs.

Asthma

Asthma is a long term disease that makes breathing difficult. Asthma has no cure, but it is manageable. Asthma causes the airways to become extremely sensitive. The airways can become red and swollen, shrinking the airway thus making it harder to breathe. Airways may also go into a spasm and the airways shrink. Some risk factors for being diagnosed with Asthma are air pollution, family history, and can sometimes be work-related.

Fun Facts

1. Lungs contain 1500 miles of airways.2. People breathe thirteen pints a minutes.

3. Lungs have over 300 million alveoli.4. The right lung has three lobes/sections. The left lung has

only two lobes/sections.