Introduction
Your respiratory system is the network of organs and tissues that help you breathe. This system helps your body absorb oxygen from the air so your organs can work. It also cleans waste gases, such as carbon dioxide, from your blood.
Task
In air-breathing vertebrates like human beings, respiration takes place in the respiratory organs called lungs. The passage of air into the lungs to supply the body with oxygen is known as inhalation, and the passage of air out of the lungs to expel carbon dioxide is known as exhalation; this process is collectively called breathing or ventilation. In humans and other mammals, the anatomical features of the respiratory system include nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx (voice box), trachea, lungs, diaphragm, bronchial tubes, alveoli, and capillaries. Molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide are passively exchanged, by diffusion, between the gaseous external environment and the blood. This exchange process occurs in the alveoli (air sacs) and then the capillaries move the oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Process
The Respiratory System is very complex and contains a lot of different components. You are going to use the internet to investigate the Respiratory System and answer the questions below. If you are having trouble finding information please check the Teacher's Page for some helpful links. Be sure to include the website that you find your information on with each answer.
Task 1:
In complete sentences, identify and explain two functions of the respiratory system.
Task 2:
Define inhalation. What gas does your body inhale?
Define exhalation. What gas does your body exhale?
Task 3:
In complete sentences and in your OWN words, please explain the entire path of air into your body. Be sure to list the parts of the respiratory system that the air passes through.
Task 4:
In complete sentences and in your OWN words, please explain how/when your diaphragm is involved or used by the respiratory system.
Task 5:
In complete sentences and in your OWN words, please explain how the respiratory system helps to prevent people from getting sick.
Task 6:
Identify and label the major parts of the respiratory system.
Evaluation
Students will be graded on the following criteria:
Task 1: 2 function of Respiratory System 3 points
Task 2: Inhalation/Exhalation 4 points
Task 3: How air enters the body 4 points
Task 4: How the diaphragm works 3 points
Task 5: How respiratory stems defends 1 points
Task 6: Labeling Diagram 10 points
Conclusion
Humans can survive for weeks or even months without food, and days without water, but only a few minutes without breathing. Since oxygen is so vital to the energy needs of the human body, it is essential that we maintain healthy lungs by breathing unpolluted air as much as possible and by supplying the body in general with good nutrition.
