Science - The Respiratory System

To take in oxygen from the atmosphere

To release carbon dioxide and water into the atmosphere

To make sounds, such as speech

Voicebox

Trachea

Bronchus

Bronchioles

Air sacs

Diaphragm

To warm and clean the air

To stop food from going down the wrong way

To carry air from the nose to the bronchus

To give strength and support to the trachea (windpipe) and keep it open

To allow air to flow into and out of the lungs

To carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli)

To put oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood

Oxygen is put into the bbloodstream and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and released from the body through the nose

The walls are very thin so the gases can get through very quickly

There are so many alveoli it provides a large surface area for gaseous exchange

Each alveoli is covered in capillaries so it allows for a quick exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

This is a large sheet of muscle involved in inhalation and exhalation

Involved in inhalation and exhalation and also to protect the heart and lungs

The diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and the lungs expand

The volume of the ribcage increases and this causes the pressure on the lungs to decrease

As a result the air is sucked in

The diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax and the lungs return to their original volume

The volume of the ribcage decreases and this causes the pressure on the lungs to increase

As a result the air is forced out

Age

Activity/Exercise

Diseases eg. bronchitis, asthma and heart disease

Drugs eg. cocaine, nicotine, sleeping tablets and alcohol

It can cause lung cancer

It can cause heart attacks

It can cause bronchitus