The Respiratory System – Fact Sheet

1. Functions of Respiratory System: (What does it do?) The major function of the respiratory system is gas exchange between the external environment and an organism's circulatory system. In humans and mammals, this exchange facilitates oxygenation of the blood with a concomitant removal of carbon dioxide and other gaseous metabolic wastes from the circulation. As gas exchange occurs, the acid-base balance of the body is maintained as part of homeostasis The Respiratory System – Fact Sheet How do you breathe?You breathe with the help of your diaphragm and other muscles in your chest and abdomen. These muscles literally change the space and pressure inside your body to accommodate breathing. When your diaphragm pulls down, it not only leaves more space for the lungs to expand but also lowers the internal air pressure. Outside, where the air pressure is greater, you suck in air in an inhale. The air then expands your lungs like a pair of balloons. When your diaphragm relaxes, the cavity inside your body gets smaller again. Your muscles squeeze your rib cage and your lungs begin to collapse as the air is pushed up and out your body in an exhale. Did you know? Every minute you breathe in 13 pints of air. Did you know? Your lungs contain almost 1500 miles of airways and over 300 million alveoli. Parts and Function of the Respiratory System Allows gas exchangeto all parts of the body. The diaphragm's job is to help pump the carbon dioxide out of the lungs and pull the oxygen into the lungs. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscles that lies across the bottom of the chest cavity. As the diaphragm contracts and relaxes, breathing takes place. When the diaphragm contracts, oxygen is pulled into the lungs. When the diaphragm relaxes, carbon dioxide is pumped out of the lungs. Trachea is a common term for an airway through which respiratory air passes in organisms. In vertebrates, it is held open by up to 20 C-shaped rings of cartilage, and may also be known as the "windpipe." The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the larynx. Open during inhalation, closed when holding one's breath, and vibrating for speech or singing (440 times per second when singing A above middle C). They are white because of scant blood circulation. The alveoli are found in the respiratory zone of the lungs, providing a total surface area of about 75 m2[2]. The blood brings carbon dioxide from the rest of the body for release into the alveoli, and the oxygen in the alveoli is taken up by the blood in the alveolar blood vessels, to be transported to all the cells in the body. The epiglottis is one of seventeen cartilaginous structures that make up the larynx (voice box). While breathing, it lies completely within the pharynx. When swallowing it serves as part of the anterior of the larynx.

2. The Respiratory System – Fact Sheet Connections to Other Systems All of the systems in an organism are interconnected. A simple example is the connection between the circulatory and respiratory systems. As blood circulates through your body, it eventually needs fresh oxygen (O2) from the air. When the blood reaches the lungs, part of the respiratory system, the blood is re-oxygenated. The respiratory system connected to the excretory system by expelling the waste products from the body such as carbon dioxide and waster products of the cells. How capillaries oxygenated the blood - Unlike the arteries and veins, capillaries are very thin and fragile. The capillaries are actually only one epithelial cell thick. They are so thin that blood cells can only pass through them in single file. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place through the thin capillary wall. The red blood cells inside the capillary release their oxygen which passes through the wall and into the surrounding tissue. The tissue releases its waste products, like carbon dioxide, which passes through the wall and into the red blood cells. Diseases of the Respiratory System What can go wrong with your respiratory system? So many things can go wrong with this system. It is very vulnerable to both toxins and diseases. Some diseases such as pneumonia can cause your lungs to fill with fluid and you are no longer able to take in enough oxygen for your body. Smokers can have a build up of tar and clog the alveoli in the lungs and decrease the amount of oxygen your body can take in. An extreme disease called emphysema actually destroys the tissues in your lungs and the tissue can never be regenerated. Individuals that get emphysema are often forced to breathe pure oxygen to survive. Allows gas exchangeto all parts of the body. Did you know? The adult body is made up of: 100 trillion cells 206 bones 600 muscles 22 internal organs Did you know? Plants are our partners in breathing. We breathe in air, use the oxygen in it, and release carbon dioxide. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Thank goodness! People tend to get more colds in the winter because we're indoors more often and in close proximity to other people. When people sneeze, cough and even breathe -- germs go flying!