Chap#1

Lesson#1.1

6/9/2023

The Human Respiratory System:

Why Do we Need Oxygen:

Respiration is a series of chemical reactions that happen inside every living cell. Respiration is one of the
characteristics that is common is all living things.

The type of respiration that happens inside the cells is called Aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration
uses oxygen. And the cells produce carbon dioxide as a waste product.

Oxygen is present in the air around us. When you breath, the oxygen in the air goes into your lungs.
Some of the oxygen is taken by the blood to deliver it to all the cells in our body. As the body uses up
oxygen it produces carbon dioxide as a waste product which is then carried by the blood to the lungs so
that the lungs can get rid of the carbon dioxide.

The organs that help us take oxygen from the air, and get rid of carbon dioxide make up the respiratory
system.

The Structure of The Human Respiratory System:

• The air goes into the lungs through the nose or mouth.
• The nose and mouth both are connected to the trachea/windpipe.
• The trachea/windpipe has strong rings of cartilage around it to prevent it from collapsing and
keeps it open so that air could pass in and out of the lungs.
• The windpipe branches into two bronchi (singular: bronchus). The bronchi also has cartilage to
support them. One bronchus goes into each lung. Each bronchus carries air deeper into the
lungs. Each bronchus is divided into several smaller tubes called bronchioles. The structure of
the branches allow air to reach deeper in the lungs.
• The bronchioles end by branching into many tiny structures called air sacs. This is where the
oxygen goes into the blood, and the carbon dioxide comes out.

Functions of few parts of the Respiratory system:

• Ribs: Protect the heart and the lungs

• Lungs: Allows us to breath
• Air Sacs: Gas exchange takes place (oxygen enters the body, carbon dioxide leaves the body).
• Bronchus: Carries air deep into the lungs
• Bronchioles: carries air to the air sacs
• Trachea(Windpipe): Carries air in and out of the lungs
• Larynx (Voicebox): Produces Voice