Respiratory System Intro

Learning Target I can model and explain the function of the respiratory system.
Proficiency Descriptor Definition
4 Proficient I can model and explain the function of the respiratory system.
3 Developing I can explain the mechanisms of inspiration and expiration.
2 Basic I can examine how air and blood exchange gases.
1 Minimal I can identify the general functions and organs of the
respiratory system.
0 No Evidence No evidence.

Anatomy Tutorials
inner body resource visible body resource
Check out the anatomy and physiology tutorials in this interactive. Make sure you read the text and click on the blue links
if you need further information. This interactive also features a great quiz that you can use to test your understanding!

Divisions
1. Upper respiratory tract: Head and neck. Pharynx, larynx, and nose.

2. Lower respiratory tract: Trachea, Bronchi, and lungs.

The nose and nasal cavity

Location and basic function
3. What is an anterior nare?
A nostril

Nasal conchae
4. Why would the conchae be curved? What does this accomplish?
Conchae covered in nasal mucosa. It’s curved to provide greater surface area.
Respiratory mucosa anatomy
5. Draw and label an epithelial cross section of the nasal conchae. (separate piece of paper)

Respiratory mucosa physiology

6. What is the function of the respiratory mucosa?
Humidify air for lungs.

The Pharynx
7. Draw a picture labeling the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx. (Also comment on how you
remember the order.) (separate piece of paper)
Naso, oro, laryngo

The Larynx
8. What are two functions of the larynx?
The Trachea & Bronchi (location and functions)
9. Why are the tracheal rings ‘C’ shaped? They’re incomplete.

10. Bronchi branch off into what categories? Primary, secondary, and tertiary.

The Lungs
11. What cavity do the lungs occupy? Thoracic cavity.

12. Lungs contain… Alvioli.

Bronchioles
13. Draw a labeled picture of lobular, terminal and respiratory bronchioles. (separate piece of paper)

Lung Alveoli
14. Make sure you know where the alveoli are located. On the end of the bronchioles.

15. Check out the microscopic view by clicking on the links and discuss the size of the macrophages in
relation to the other parts of the cells. Why are they so big and what is their job?

Pleurae & Pleural cavity

16. What do these layers function the way they do? What would happen if they did not have pleural fluid
separating them? They function in order to lubricate the lungs, otherwise the lungs would tear very
easily.

Physiology Tutorials
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=AP15104
After viewing the above resources...discuss what you know about...
17. Ventilation: The process of taking oxygen into the lungs, and pushing carbon dioxide out.

18. External respiration: Everything connected to the outside of the body in the respiratory system This
stops after the alveoli.

19. Transport: The process of moving oxygen throughout the body.

20. Internal respiration: Everything in the respiratory system after the oxygen diffuses into the blood stream
through the capilaries.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/exposure/body.html
21. How does atmospheric pressure affect the respiration process? The higher the atmospheric pressure,
the less the diaphragm has to work to help the lungs inhale.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/anatomyvideos/000018.htm (as the animation explains the process,
breathe with it)

22. Compare and contrast inspiration and expiration: inspiration is breathing in, while expiration is breathing
out.
23. What is the relationship between volume and pressure? Volume increases, pressure decreases, and
vice versa. It’s an inverse relationship.

On a separate piece of paper:

Draw a labeled diagram of the upper and lower respiratory system. You may use the models in the classroom,
your book, and/or the computer references when making the drawings.