The Respiratory System

Introduction to the Respiratory System

• The respiratory system consists of organs and tissues specialised in breathing and exchange of gases.
• This system’s primary functions involves taking in oxygen (O2) and removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body.

Structure of the Respiratory System

• The main parts of this system include the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and the lungs.
• The nose and mouth are responsible for the inhalation of air.
• The trachea (or windpipe) is a tube that brings air from the throat into the chest cavity.
• The trachea divides into two bronchi, each leading to a lung.
• The lungs are the primary organs that perform the function of gas exchange, containing small air sacs called alveoli.

The Breathing Process

• Breathing occurs in two steps: inhalation (breathing in) and exhalation (breathing out).
• Inhaling brings oxygen into the lungs and exhaling pushes out carbon dioxide.
• The process is controlled by the diaphragm and other muscles of the chest and abdomen.

Gas Exchange

• Inside the alveoli, oxygen diffuses through the walls into the surrounding capillaries and then into the bloodstream.
• At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, diffuses from the blood into the alveoli and is expelled during exhalation.

The Respiratory System and Physical Activity

• When you engage in physical activity, your muscles use more oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide.
• This increases your respiratory rate (the number of breaths taken per minute) and the amount of air you breathe in and out.
• Training can help increase lung capacity and efficiency, leading to improved athletic performance.
• Understanding the respiratory system is essential to optimise training regimens and ensure safety during physical activity.