01 Revision - Respiratory system

• Biology
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

What two processes does respiration involve?

Name as many components of the respiratory system as you can think of

Component

Description

Also called the voice box because it contains the vocal cords, which vibrate when air flows over them, producing sound

Very small tubules that end in alveoli

Has dual functions: both air and food pass through it, so it is part of both the respiratory and the digestive systems

Connects the larynx to the lungs for the passage of air through the respiratory tract

A sheet of muscle that separates the thorax and the abdomen

Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs

Airtight chamber containing the lungs

Carry air between the trachea and bronchioles

Larynx

Thorax

Diaphragm

Bronchi

Alveoli

Pharynx

Bronchiole

Trachea

Describe the pathway of oxygen from the atmosphere into the bloodstream

Name two features of the respiratory system that protect it from infection?

Describe the structure and function of alveoli

How are the structure of lungs adapted for efficient gas exchange?

Describe the process of inhalation

Describe the process of exhalation

What is a spirometer?

Component

Description

The amount of air left in the lungs after a maximal expiration

This is the maximum usable volume of the lungs

The maximum quantity of air that the lungs can hold during the deepest breath possible

The maximum amount of additional air that can be taken into the lungs after a normal breath.

The amount of air that you can blow out in one second

The amount of air breathed in with each normal breath

The maximum amount of additional air that can be forced out of the lungs after a normal breath

Residual Volume

Tidal volume

Inspiratory reserve volume 

Expiratory reserve volume 

Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)

Total lung capacity

Vital capacity

May 2022 Paper
Explain how the diaphragm along with other structures in the thorax, enable oxygen to become available for cellular respiration. Include in your answer any changes in lung volume and pressure. (4)

External intercostal muscles contract (0.5)

Pulling the rib cage up and out. (0.5)

Diaphragm contracts and flattens. (0.5)

Volume of chest and lungs increases. (0.5)

Pressure in chest/lungs decreases below external/atmospheric pressure. (0.5)

Air moves in down the pressure gradient until equilibrium is reached. (0.5)

Oxygen diffuses from the alveolus to the lung/pulmonary capillaries. (0.5)

Oxygenated blood returns to the heart in the pulmonary veins. (0.5)

Oxygenated blood is pumped from the left ventricle/into the systemic circuit/to the respiring cells (0.5)

4 marks for any four in the correct sequence (max. 4 marks)