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Body Systems and Physiological Disorders

The respiratory system, ventilation and gas exchange

  • 3 things to know
  • A2 2

Overview

How mucus and cilia protect the lungs, function of the pleural membranes and what happens to the diaphragm and ribcage during inspiration.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Trace the path air takes from the mouth to the site of gas exchange.

Key term

Why is the trachea supported by rings of cartilage?

Key term

Describe how mucus and cilia protect the lungs.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Trace the path air takes from the mouth to the site of gas exchange.

    Model answer

    Air passes from the nose or mouth into the trachea, then along the bronchi and the bronchioles and finally into the alveoli.

  2. 2

    Why is the trachea supported by rings of cartilage?

    Model answer

    Rings of cartilage hold the trachea open so that it cannot collapse when the pressure inside the airway falls during inhalation.

  3. 3

    Describe how mucus and cilia protect the lungs.

    Model answer

    Goblet cells produce mucus that traps dust and microorganisms, and ciliated cells sweep the mucus up the airway to be swallowed.

  4. 4

    What are the alveoli, and what happens there?

    Model answer

    The alveoli are microscopic air sacs in which oxygen passes into the blood and carbon dioxide passes out of it.

  5. 5

    Give four ways an alveolus is adapted for efficient gas exchange.

    Model answer

    An alveolus has a very large total surface area, a wall one cell thick, a moist lining and a dense capillary network around it.

  6. 6

    Explain the direction in which oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse at an alveolus.

    Model answer

    Oxygen diffuses from the alveolar air, where its concentration is higher, into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air.

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