The respiratory system
The respiratory system is made up of the organs in your body that help you breathe. The goal of breathing is to deliver oxygen to the body and to take away carbon dioxide. It consists of the lungs and other organs. Your body needs to breathe because after 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen, brain cells are destroyed and an extended period of hypoxia leads to brain damage and ultimately death. In humans, the average rate of breathing is based on the age of the individual. Newborns up to about 6 weeks, take about 30 to 60 breaths per minute, while the average resting respiratory rate for adults is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Physical exertion has an impact of the respiratory rate and healthy adults can average about 45 breaths per minute during heavy-duty exercise.
Functions of the respiratory system
1. Gas Exchange- Brings oxygen into the lungs and carbon dioxide out.
2. Transports gases through the body and to the lungs.
3. Provides oxygen from the air for the cells to turn food into energy.
2. Transports gases through the body and to the lungs.
3. Provides oxygen from the air for the cells to turn food into energy.
Major organs of the respiratory system
1. Nasal Pathway and oral cavity- These organs serve as a passageway for air to enter into the body.
2. Pharynx- This organ connects the nasal pathway and oral cavity to the larynx. This organ is responsible for coordinating swallowing and respiration while eating and drinking.
3. Larynx-This organ is responsible for producing sounds and protects the trachea, and opens and closes at the right time. For example, while eating it closes to protect the trachea.
4. Trachea- This organ carries air into the body and is lined with cilia in order to trap harmful substances so they don't continue to travel throughout the rest of the respiratory system.
5. Bronchi- This organ separates into two parts from the trachea. These are used to help air travel from the trachea to the bronchioles.
6. Bronchioles- This organ is in the shape of small tubes, that connect to the lungs, which are made up of smooth muscle.
7. Lungs- This organ is involved with respiration and ventilation, which contain alveoli, which are little sacs where gas exchange happens,
8. Diaphragm- This organ is a dome-shaped sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. It plays a very important role in the breathing process.
2. Pharynx- This organ connects the nasal pathway and oral cavity to the larynx. This organ is responsible for coordinating swallowing and respiration while eating and drinking.
3. Larynx-This organ is responsible for producing sounds and protects the trachea, and opens and closes at the right time. For example, while eating it closes to protect the trachea.
4. Trachea- This organ carries air into the body and is lined with cilia in order to trap harmful substances so they don't continue to travel throughout the rest of the respiratory system.
5. Bronchi- This organ separates into two parts from the trachea. These are used to help air travel from the trachea to the bronchioles.
6. Bronchioles- This organ is in the shape of small tubes, that connect to the lungs, which are made up of smooth muscle.
7. Lungs- This organ is involved with respiration and ventilation, which contain alveoli, which are little sacs where gas exchange happens,
8. Diaphragm- This organ is a dome-shaped sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. It plays a very important role in the breathing process.
BreathingBreathing is a voluntary process of taking in air (inspiration) and out of your lungs (expiration), which can be consciously controlled.
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Cellular respirationCellular respiration is an involuntary process and is a chemical reaction that takes place in all the cells in your body. This process breaks down sugar in the presence of oxygen.
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