Functions of the Human

Lesson Respiratory System

2
What’s In

In our previous discussion, you learned that the parts of the human respiratory
system in charge of supplying oxygen are the nose, nasal passageways/nasal cavity,
pharynx, larynx , and trachea which divides into two tubes called bronchi. Bronchi carry air
into each lung. Inside the lungs, the bronchi divide into bronchioles. At the end of the
bronchioles are the alveoli. Inhaled oxygen moves from the alveoli to the blood in
the capillaries, and carbon dioxide moves from the blood in the capillaries to the air in the
alveoli. Under the lungs is a large dome-shaped muscle called the diaphragm. The lungs are
the main organ in the human respiratory system.

This time you will describe the function of each part of the human respiratory system.

What I Need To Know

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to :

Describe the function of the parts of the human respiratory system.

What’s New

The respiratory system consists of different parts that allow air to reach the lungs. But
before the air reaches the lungs, it must first be processed. Each part of the respiratory
system performs a specific function.

To learn the functions of each part of the respiratory system, do activity number 3.
ACTIVITY 3: Complete Me

Objective:
 Describe the function of each part of the respiratory system.
Procedure:
1. Identify the letter that labels the part of the respiratory system. Write each part with its
corresponding function in the table provided below.

Adapted from Science - Grade 9 Learner’s Module, 1st Edition, 2014

Figure 3. The human respiratory system
Parts of the Respiratory System Function
A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

Guide Question :

1. What will happen if one part of the system fails to carry out its function properly?
 What Is It

Have you experienced having colds and you have clogged nose? What organ should
you use in breathing? Yes, it’s the mouth! Is this organ part of the respiratory system? The
mouth also known as the oral cavity, is the secondary external opening for the respiratory
tract. Normally, we breathe through the nasal cavity, but the mouth can also be used if we
have problems with the nasal cavity.
The following are the functions of each part of the respiratory system:
 Nose --------------- the entrance of air into the body
 Nasal cavity------ it is where the air is filtered, moistened and warmed
 Pharynx ---------- controls the passage of air to the lungs and food (from digestion)
to the esophagus
 Larynx ------------ connects the pharynx to the trachea and contains the vocal cord.
It prevents the passage of food into the lungs.
It controls the flow of air to the lungs
 Trachea ---------- main passageway of air into the lungs
 Bronchi(bronchus)--- carry air into each lung
 Lungs ------------- They help oxygen we breathe enter the red blood cells and get rid
of carbon dioxide when we breathe out.
 Bronchioles ------ tiny tubes that connect the bronchi to the alveoli.
 Alveoli (alveolus)------- the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
 Diaphragm ----------- controls the breathing process

What’s More

As the air enters from the nose to the nasal cavity, then to the pharynx, air moves to
the larynx. However, food has to be kept out of the larynx and this function is carried out by
the epiglottis which is a flap of tissue located at the upper end of the larynx. When you
swallow, the epiglottis partly closes the larynx where food and water move down the
esophagus.
Let us check how much you have learned from our lesson. Complete each statement
using the terms from the list below. Write your answer on the space provided.

bronchi epiglottis bronchioles larynx nose

1. We inhale air through our __________where it is warmed, moistened, and filtered.

2. The __________ which is also called the “voice box” connects the pharynx to the
trachea in the neck. .
3. The trachea divides into two tubes called ________ which carry air into the lungs.
4. In the lungs, the tubes divide again until they become tiny tubes called _____.
5. A flap of tissue at the upper end of the larynx known as _________closes when you
swallow food and water and sending them to the esophagus.
Watch the video on how respiratory system works from this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTR1IsX55dc

What I Have Learned

 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM WORDSEARCH PUZZLE

Directions. Find and encircle the vocabulary words in the puzzle below. Look for them in all
directions including backwards and diagonally and use the encircled words to answer the
statements that follow.

T A P B R O N C H I I D A
R D I H X L U N G S L I L
A A B R A A X N Y R A L V
C M S O N R R T L K O G E
H S M N P T Y H T U O M O
E E W S O E C N S Z D A L
A A N B K S H N X E K M I
Y X O Y N N E G Y X O S U
D I A P H R A G M G L T I
E B R O N C H I O L E S Y

__________ 1. It is a passage for both food (from digestion) and air.

__________ 2. It contains the vocal cord that produces sound.
__________ 3. It is also called the oral cavity that replaces the nasal cavity’s function when
needed.
__________ 4. It is known as windpipe which is the main passageway of air into the lungs.
__________ 5. The main organs of the respiratory system that help oxygen we breathe
enter the red blood cells and get rid of carbon dioxide as we breathe out.
__________ 6. A dome-shaped muscle that controls breathing.
__________ 7. They carry air into each lung.
__________ 8. It is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
__________ 9. Entrance of air into our body.
__________10. These are tiny tubes that connect the bronchi to the alveoli.

What I Can Do

Directions. Describe the function of the following parts of the human respiratory system as
the air enters through them.
1. Nasal cavity
2. Pharynx
3. Larynx
4. Bronchi
5. Alveoli