Science Reviewer - Respiratory & Circulatory Systems

Respiratory System
- provides oxygen to the bodys cells while removing carbon dioxide, a waste product that can be lethal if
allowed to accumulate
- nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, bronchiole, alveoli
Upper Respiratory Tract
- passageway for respiration
- receptors for smell
- filters incoming air to filter larger foreign material
- moistens and warms incoming air
Lower Respiratory Tract
- larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs
1. Nose & Nasal Cavity - form the main external opening for the respiratory system
2. Pharynx (throat) - is a muscular funnel that [end of nasal cavity to the end of the esophagus and larynx]
3. Epiglottis - is a flap of elastic cartilage that acts as a switch between the trachea and the esophagus
4. Larynx (voice box) - is a short section of the airway that connects the pharynx and the trachea
5. Trachea (windpipe) - hollow tube that serves as passageway of air into the lungs
6. Bronchi (bronchial tubes) - two branching tubes that connect the trachea to the lungs
7. Lungs - pair of large, spongy organs (left lung is smaller with 2 lobes; right lung with 3 lobes)
8. Bronchiole - finer subdivisions of the bronchi; hairlike tubes that connect to the alveoli
9. Alveoli (airsacs) - allow gas exchange in the lungs
The air we breathe goes through the nose, nasal passages, and then through trachea or windpipe, which separates into two
branches, called bronchial tubes or bronchi, one entering each lung. The bronchi subdivide many times inside the lungs, analogous
to the branching pattern of grapes, finally becoming hairlike tubes called bronchioles. In the last part of the terminal bronchioles
are tiny bubble-like bunch of structures called alveoli.
When you breathe in, or inhale, the diaphragm muscle contracts. Inhaling moves the diaphragm down and expands the chest
cavity. Simultaneously, the ribs move up and increase the size of the chest cavity. There is now more space and less air pressure
inside the lungs. Air pushes in from the outside where there is a higher air pressure. It pushes into the lungs where there is a lower
air pressure. When you breathe out, or exhale, the diaphragm muscle relaxes. The diaphragm and ribs return to their original place.
The chest cavity returns to its original size. There is now less space and greater air pressure inside the lungs. It pushes the air to
the outside where there is a lower air pressure.
Air first enters your lungs and then into the left part of your heart. It is then driven by your heart into the bloodstream, all the way
through your body. The heart pumps blood, which transports essential nutrients, oxygen, and other chemicals to every cell in your
body. Once it reaches the cells, oxygen processes the nutrients to release energy. Carbon dioxide is given off during this process.
The blood delivers carbon dioxide into the right portion of your heart, from which it is pumped to the lungs. Carbon dioxide
leaves your body through the lungs when you exhale.

Nasal Cavity
Pharynx
Nose

Epiglottis
Larynx Trachea

Bronchi
Bronchioles

Lungs Alveoli
 Circulatory System
- the life support structure that nourishes your cells with food and oxygen
- carries away the waste products
Three Major Parts:
1. Heart pumps the blood throughout the body
2. Blood Vessel carries the blood throughout the body
Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body
Veins carry deoxygenated blood to the heart
Capillaries the smallest blood vessels in the body, connecting the smallest arteries to the smallest veins
the actual site where gases and nutrients are exchanged
3. Blood carries the materials throughout the body
Three Types of Circulation:
1. Pulmonary Circulation movement of blood from the heart to the lungs, and back to the heart
2. Coronary Circulation movement of blood through the tissues of the heart
3. Systematic Circulation movement of blood from the heart to the rest of the body, except the lungs
The Heart
- has four chambers; two ventricles and two atria
Atria - receiving chambers of the heart
- accepts blood from the body (right atrium) and from the lungs (left atrium)
Ventricles - pumping chambers of the heart
- moves blood to the lungs (right ventricle) and into the body (left ventricle)
Each pump has two chambers, the upper and lower chambers. The upper chamber is the atrium that receives blood
coming in from the veins. The lower chamber is the ventricle that forces the blood out into the arteries. There is a
valve between each atrium and ventricle to prevent the blood from flowing backwards. The valves are like one-
way doors that keep the blood moving in only one direction. Valves control movement of blood into the heart
chambers and out to the aorta and the pulmonary artery
All of the muscle tissues of the heart do not contract at the same time. Different parts of the heart contract at
different times. When the top portion contracts, the bottom part relaxes. When the bottom contracts, the top
relaxes. When a chamber contracts, it becomes smaller and the blood inside gets squeezed or pumped out.