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The Respiratory System Essay

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The respiratory system is the process responsible for the transportation and exchange of gases into and out of the human body. As we breath in, oxygen in the air containing oxygen is drawn into the lungs through a series of air pipes known as the airway and into the lungs. As air is drawn into the lungs and waste gas excreted, it passes through the airway, first through the mouth or nose and through the pharynx, larynx and windpipe – also known as the trachea. At this point it then enters the lungs through the bronchi before finally reaching the air sacs known as alveoli. Within the lungs, through a process known as diffusion, the oxygen is transferred to the blood stream through the alveoli (air ducts) where it is then transported inside …show more content…

Within the alveoli, the oxygen is transferred to the blood whilst simultaneously collecting waste carbon dioxide for excretion as we breath out. This transference is known as diffusion and is linked to the cardiovascular system.
Diffusion is an automated process by where the levels of oxygen, water and carbon dioxide pass over a ‘semi-permeable membrane’ between the walls of the cells and blood vessels to create a level environment. This membrane only allows these three elements to pass whilst retaining other elements such as blood cells, hence semi-permeable. The high concentration on one side of the cells transfers through this membrane until the level is equal on both sides.
The human body comprises of two respiratory sponges called lungs. The left lung is slightly smaller than the right as it makes room for placement of the heart. Due to this slightly smaller size, it only contains two lobes whereas the right lung has 3 lobes. Both lungs are host to the network of air sacs or alveoli which transport the air from the outside environment to the external and internal respiration processes.
As we breathe in, the muscles in the chest wall force the thoracic area, ribs and connective muscles to contract and expand the chest. The diaphragm is contracted and moves down as the area inside the chest increases as air enters the lungs. The lungs are forced open by this expansion and the pressure inside the lungs becomes enough that it pulls

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