Question

What are the five (5) functions of the respiratory system and each of their description?

What's the structure and function of the respiratory membrane and its explanation?

What are the three ways that carbon dioxide is transported in the blood?

Answer 1

The five functions of the respiratory system are:

Breathing: The inspiration and expiration of air which involves the nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, diaphragm, intercostal muscles and rib cage. During inspiration the muscles increase the size of thoracic cavity which expand the lungs which leads to increase in volume due to which pressure inside the lungs decreases due to this air in the atmosphere rushes into the lungs as pressure outside is more than inside of lungs and due to pressure gradient the air flow from outside to inside of lungs. During expiration the muscles decrease the size of thoracic cavity and this decreases the volume due to which pressure inside the lungs increases because of which air rushes out of the lungs from an area of higher pressure to area of lower pressure.

Gas exchange: External Respiration, when gaseous exchange takes place between the lungs and the bloodstream. This involves the passage of oxygen from the air in the alveoli to the blood in the capillaries and passage of carbon dioxide from the blood to the alveoli. Internal Respiration, when gaseous exchange takes place between blood and tissues where the oxygen in blood is delivered to tissues and cells for energy and metabolism and carbon dioxide is transported from tissues to the blood.

Sound production: When air passes over vocal cords in larynx it causes vibration of vocal cords which produces sound.

Sense of Smell: When air passes over olfactory cells in the nasal cavities then these olfactory cells senses chemicals in the air and transmit that signal to brain and causes sense of smell i.e olfaction.

Protection: Nasal cavity has hair and the nasal epithelium produces mucus which traps the dust and microbes and thus protects the body from potential infections.