Respiratory System

Question 0

Process of inspiration

Answer 0

• intercostal muscles between the ribs contract, pulling the ribs up and out
• diaphragm muscle contracts and flattens, increasing the size of the chest
• lungs increase in size causing the pressure inside to fall
• air enters through the nasal cavity or mouth

Question 1

Components of the respiratory system

Answer 1

Trachea
Lungs
Bronchus
Bronchioles
Inter-costal muscles
Diaphragm

Question 2

Process of expiration

Answer 2

• inter costal muscles relax and so the chest walls fall in and down
• the diaphragm relaxes and bulges up
• lungs decrease in size causing an increase in pressure
• air is pushed up and out of the lungs

Question 3

Describe gas exchange at the lungs

Answer 3

Is the process of exchanging CO2 in the body with O2 in the air

• air containing O2 enters the lungs and passes into the alveoli
• deoxygenated blood containing CO2 enters the capillaries surrounding the alveoli
• CO2 diffuses out of the blood stream into the alveoli and leaves the lungs
• simultaneously O2 diffuses into the blood stream and binds to the RBCs
• oxygenated blood leaves the lungs

Question 4

Describe gas exchange at muscles/cells

Answer 4

• oxygenated blood leaving via the aorta travels along the arteries to the capillaries
• the O2 diffuses into the cell as CO2 diffuses out of there cell into the bloodstream
• the deoxygenated blood then returns via a network of venues and veins to the heart

Question 5

Characteristics of alveoli

Answer 5

• very thin moist walls help diffusion of gases

- large surface are to maximise diffusion rate

Question 6

Characteristics of capillaries (in the the case of gas exchange)

Answer 6

• thin walls to allow diffusion to happen easily
• very narrow to ensure every RBC goes through gas exchange (one cell wide)
• reaches to almost every cell for the transportation of nutrients, gases and products

Question 7

Define respiratory rate

Answer 7

breaths / minute

Question 8

Define tidal volume

Answer 8

The amount of air taken in or out with each breath during rest.

Question 9

Define minute volume and how it’s calculated

Answer 9

Respiratory rate x tidal volume = minute volume

Amount of air breathed in, in a minute

Question 10

Define residual volume

Answer 10

The amount of air left in the lungs that can’t be breathed out.

Question 11

Define VO2 max

Answer 11

The maximum amount of O2 your body can take in and use in one minute (l/m)
Relates to an athletes aerobic capacity

Question 12

Define total lung capacity and name the 4 sections

Answer 12

The total volume of air the lungs can hold

Inspiratory reserve volume
Tidal volume
Expiratory reserve volume
Residual volume

• sum of top three equal vital capacity
• sum of all equal total lung capacity

Question 13

Define aerobic respiration

Answer 13

Using oxygen to break down glucose into water, carbon dioxide and energy

Question 14

Define anaerobic respiration

Answer 14

Breaking down glucose to form lactic acid.

This creates less energy than aerobic respiration and an oxygen debt.

Question 15

Define respiration

Answer 15

The process of breaking down glucose to release energy.

Question 16

Describe the short term effects of exercise on the respiratory system

Answer 16

• increased minute volume
• increased rate of gas exchange
• increased respiratory rate
• increased tidal volume-> extends closer to vital capacity
• more oxygen used
• increased blood supply to the lungs

Question 17

Describe the long term effects of exercise on the respiratory system

Answer 17

• intercostal muscles and diaphragm get stronger
• increase tidal volume/vital capacity
• number of alveoli and capillaries increase
• increased gas exchange- more oxygen into the blood
• increased VO2 max

Question 18

Diaphragm

Answer 18

Sheet of muscle that contracts and relaxes to aid breathing

Question 19

Define oxygen debt

Answer 19

The amount of oxygen consumed during recovery above what is normally consumed at rest. Occurs due to lack of oxygen during exercise.

Question 20

Gas exchange

Answer 20

Process where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. Occurs at alveoli and at muscles.