Term | Definition |
Alveoli | small balloon-like structures attached to the branches of the bronchial passages. These alveoli inflate and deflate with inhalation and exhalation |
aortic bodies | measures changes in blood pressure and the composition of arterial blood flowing past it, including the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide and pH |
bicarbonate ions | provide prompt resistance to drastic pH changes |
bronchi | the main passageway into the lungs after the trachea |
bronchioles | passageways by which the air passes through the nose or mouth to the air sacs of the lungs in which branches no longer contain cartilage or glands in their submucosa. They are branches of the bronchi |
carbaminohemoglobin | one of the forms in which carbon dioxide exists in the blood |
carbon dioxide | Produced by the body in respiration, must me expelled |
carbonic anhydrase | Catalyzes the reaction of carbon dioxide dissolving into the blood |
carotid bodies | small cluster of chemoreceptors and supporting cells |
cilia | tiny hair-like structures on the surface of the lining of the respiratory tract. They shift mucus and debris away from the lungs. |
diaphragm | Muscle beneath lungs that allows for inspiration |
exhalation | breathing out |
external respiration | The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the environment and respiratory organs |
hydrogen ions | An ion that can trigger respiratory system to speed up when produced though respiration |
inhalation | Breathing in |
intercostal muscles | muscles between ribs, allow for breathing by tensing/relaxing |
internal respiration | the exchange of gases (as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the cells of the body and the blood by way of the fluid bathing the cells |
larynx | part of the respiratory system that holds the vocal cords above the trachea |
lungs | pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the chest (thorax). The trachea (windpipe) conducts inhaled air into the lungs through its tubular branches, called bronchi |
mucus | traps particles such as bacteria and dust, helping to prevent them from entering the body |
nasal cavity | act as the main passageway for the airflow entering the lungs. The nasal cavity also filters the incoming air, regulates temperature and humidifies the nasal passage to aid the filtering function. |
oxygen | A molecule we use to create ATP in respiration |
oxyhaemoglobin | hysiological respiration when oxygen binds to the heme component of the protein hemoglobin in red blood cells |
pH | a measure of acidity |
pharynx | cone-shaped passageway leading from the oral and nasal cavities in the head to the esophagus and larynx. |
pleural membrane | The lungs are surrounded by membranes, one stuck to the outside of the chest cavity and one on the lungs |
reduced hemoglobin | the form of Hb in red blood cells after the oxygen of oxyhemoglobin is released in the tissues. |
respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata | The part of the brain controlling the respiratory system |
respiratory tract | the passage formed by the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs, through which air passes during breathing |
ribs | The circular bones in the chest protecting the thoracic cavity |
stretch receptors | Receptors that prevent the lungs from overfilling and becoming damaged |
thoracic cavity | is the chamber of the human body (and other animal bodies) that is protected by the thoracic wall (thoracic cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia). |
trachea | the tube in the windpipe that has circular rings of cartilage that allows the air to travel into the lungs |