01
Front
What route does air follow through the respiratory tract?
Back
Air passes through the nasal cavity or mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and progressively smaller bronchioles.
Free Online Flashcard Deck
7 The Respiratory System Free Online FlashCards
Study 7 The Respiratory System with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
12 cards
02
Front
What do the nasal passages do to incoming air?
Back
The nasal passages warm, moisten, and filter incoming air.
03
Front
What defines the conducting zone?
Back
The conducting zone carries and conditions air from the nose and mouth through the terminal bronchioles; it does not exchange gases with blood.
04
Front
What is the function of fluid between the pleural membranes?
Back
Fluid between the visceral and parietal pleura reduces friction and helps the lungs follow chest-wall movements.
05
Front
How do the main muscles produce quiet inhalation?
Back
The diaphragm contracts and moves downward while external intercostal muscles lift the ribs, expanding the chest and lowering lung pressure so air flows in.
06
Front
What drives quiet exhalation?
Back
The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax; elastic recoil reduces lung volume, raises lung pressure, and pushes air out.
07
Front
What determines the direction of airflow?
Back
Air flows from higher pressure toward lower pressure.
08
Front
Which way do oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse in the lungs?
Back
In the lungs, oxygen diffuses from alveoli into pulmonary capillary blood, while carbon dioxide diffuses from blood into alveoli.
09
Front
Which way do oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse at body tissues?
Back
At body tissues, oxygen diffuses from blood into cells, while carbon dioxide produced by cells diffuses into the blood.
10
Front
How do external and internal respiration differ?
Back
External respiration is gas exchange between lungs and blood; internal respiration is gas exchange between blood and tissues.
11
Front
What two processes must support effective lung gas exchange?
Back
Effective exchange requires ventilation, which brings air to alveoli, and perfusion, which brings blood through nearby capillaries.
12
Front
How is most oxygen transported in the blood?
Back
Oxygen is carried mainly bound reversibly to hemoglobin in red blood cells; a small amount is dissolved in plasma.