Respiratory System

philschatz.com
Function:
The respiratory system provides oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide. The main function is to trade gasses with the environment, such as releasing carbon dioxide for oxygen. The true purpose is to receive oxygen for the body.

 Organs:
Nose- The nose is the main gateway into the respiratory tract from the outer surface. This is the very first section of the system in which air passes through.
Mouth-The mouth is another, but not as commonly used entrance into the respiratory tract. Most breathing takes place through the nose, but the mouth can replace its function if necessary.
Pharynx- The pharynx is a tube located behind the esophagus and larynx. Air inhaled travels down the beginning of the tube. The air continues to go downward and it finally enters the larynx through the epiglottis.
Larynx- The larynx is connected to the trachea leading the air closer to the lungs. It is also known as the voice box because it has another function: vocalization.
Trachea-The trachea is a tube in which air passes through the neck and slightly into the thorax. It is always open letting air enter and leave.
Bronchi and Bronchioles- The bronchi split into two main pieces, but they continue to split. As the separate they become bronchioles. The are split into millions of branches. They direct the air into the lungs.
Lungs- The lungs take the oxygen and send it into the bloodstream. Once the oxygen is distributed all over the body carbon dioxide returns to the lungs. This is goes back up through the same process that is now flipped.

 Interactions:
The respiratory system has a strong connection with your circulatory system. Oxygen travels through the arteries to reach your cells and returns with carbon dioxide through your veins. Not only can these gasses be transported, diseases can too. Bacteria or viruses that have been inhaled travel through your bloodstream, as well. If you think about it, the respiratory system connects with the digestive and nervous system. Until the epiglottis separates the food from the air, they both follow the same path. As for the nervous system, you use your nerves to smell through your nose. The respiratory system has some obvious connections and others can be quite the surprise.

 Analogy:
Clipart Panda

 The respiratory system reminds me of a tree because the organs closely match up with some of the parts of a tree. The trachea is like the trunk because both connect two things. The trachea connects the larynx to the bronchi. The Bronchi represent the branches, spreading out from the trunk or trachea. The branches keep dividing just like the bronchi which are located inside the lungs. The bronchi keep splitting apart until the are bronchioles which are the leaves of the tree. The bronchioles work to absorbs oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. The leaves go through this process and they perform a function opposite to this. If you think about it the fruit on a tree could be the blood. The oxygen travels into the blood like how nutrients go into forming fruit. This is a wonderful way to see how alike the respiratory system and trees are.

Structure and Function(Lungs): 
The lungs are one of the main parts of the respiratory system. As your lungs fill with oxygen, it is sent into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide returns back up. The lungs are enclosed with a membrane that lets the lungs enlarge and release while breathing. If you look closely at pictures of the respiratory system you can see that the left lung is smaller than the right lung and has a small difference in shape. This is because the heart is located on the left side of your body and needs some space. The left lung contains two lobes while the right has three. In addition to this, capillaries and alveoli can be found in the lungs. As blood flows through the capillaries the alveoli trade gasses with the blood. The lungs have very important components that perform key functions to make the respiratory system work the way it does.

 Source:
http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/respiratory#full-description
http://www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_respiratory.html
https://prezi.com/rw4zg9_s7krk/respiratory-system-analogies/
http://www.medicinenet.com/lungs_design_and_purpose/page2.htm

 Fun Fact:
A little fun fact, the capillaries in your lungs if put together from end to end would measure 1,600 kilometers.  Another fun fact, your right lung is slightly larger than your left lung.








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