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The Respiratory System. Inhale … Exhale …. How important is the Respiratory System?. How long can you hold your breath?. 2 different levels. Cellular, or internal Organism level. Why Breath?.
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The Respiratory System Inhale … Exhale …
How important is the Respiratory System? • How long can you hold your breath?
2 different levels • Cellular, or internal • Organism level
Why Breath? • Respiratory System is a group of organs working together to bring about the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide with the environment
Respiratory System consists of: • Nose • Nasal cavity • Pharynx • Larynx • Trachea • Smaller conducting passageways • Lungs
air is about 21% Oxygen; 78% Nitrogen; 1% Carbon dioxide, water vapor, argon, and other trace gasses (neon, helium, krypton, hydrogen, and ozone are a few)
Air enters through the nose or mouth • Into the nasal cavity – warms and moistens air • Enters pharynx – back of throat – serves as passageway for food and air • Trachea – windpipe – leads to lungs
Direct connection to outside – must filter dust, dirt, smoke, bacteria and other contaminants • When air goes through the mouth, it doesn’t get filtered as much as when it goes through the nose and nasal cavities • Lined with mucous secretions and hair
Top of trachea is Larynx • Made of cartilage (largest is the Adam’s Apple) • Also known as Voice box • Inside is two folds of tissue – the vocal cords
Trachea • C – shaped rings of cartilage • Protect the trachea • Make it flexible • Keep it from collapsing
Cells that line the trachea • produce mucus • Lined with cilia • Particles are trapped in the mucus and carried to upper trachea – swept down into digestive system • Smoke = Sabotage to system • Cilia stop working after a while • When this happens, particles get lodged in the trachea – SMOKER’S COUGH
Trachea divides to bronchi • Bronchi divide into smaller and smaller passageways and lose the cartilage rings to become bronchioles • Bronchioles divide further and further until they end in small clusters of hollow air sacs – alveoli • Gas exchange occurs in alveoli
Mechanics of Breathing • Inhalation and Exhalation • Air pulled into the lungs and air pushed out of the lungs • 10 – 15 X in a minute • Diaphragm – large flat muscle along bottom of rib cage and Intercostal (between ribs) muscles
Blood enters capillaries around the alveoli • Carbon dioxide rich blood enters, Carbon dioxide diffuses out, Oxygen diffuses in – concentrations are unequal across the alveolar membrane of gasses
Phospholipids and protein produce a “surfactant” to coat the inside of the alveolus • Keeps it open and makes it easier to exchange gasses
Hemoglobin – Found in red blood cells – iron containing compound – makes red blood cells red • Without Hemoglobin, blood would only be able to carry about 2% of the oxygen needed by the body.
Control of Respiratory System • Breathing is involuntary • What makes you breath?
How does the nervous system control breathing? • Sensory neurons check levels of gasses in your blood. • One set in carotid arteries in the neck • Other set in the aorta • These are sensitive to levels of gasses in the blood – especially Carbon Dioxide
LUNG CAPACITIES • Total Lung Volume – about 6 L • Residual Volume – Following a normal exhalation, what is left (about 2 ½ L) • Tidal Volume – Volume of air inspired or expired during a normal (at rest) breath (1/2 L per cycle) • Inspiratory Reserve – additional air that can be breathed after a normal inspiration (4 ½ L) • Vital Capacity – total volume of breathable air
Problems • Hypoxia – High CO2 levels in the blood – provides greatest stimulus to breath • Influenced by oxygen partial pressure, increased gas density, and emotional states • Asphyxia – existence of both hypoxia (oxygen shortage) and Carbon Dioxide excess • Suffocation – stoppage of breathing for any cause resulting in asphyxiation • Strangulation – stoppage of breathing due to obstruction
Asthma • Restriction of airways due to inflammation • May cause • Shortness of breath • Wheezing • Coughing • Can be triggered by • Cold • Allergies – dust, pet hair, smoke, pollen, etc… • Exercise
Asthma • Medicines include • Long acting to prevent attacks • Short acting during attacks (bronchodilators)
Emphysema • COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease • Lung tissue destroyed – cannot function fully • Irreversible condition • Steroids and other drugs • May need Oxygen permanently