LEARNING STRAND 2

Scientific Literacy and Critical Thinking

The Human Respiratory System

The respiratory system is made up of the organs in your body that help you breathe.
The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
It supplies oxygen to the blood and gets rid of carbon dioxide and other waste gases.
Breathing or respiration is the process by which oxygen is carried out to all the parts of the body
and carbon dioxide or waste matter is expelled.
Parts of the Respiratory System
Nose/Nasal Cavity
The air that that you breathe in passes through
the nose. The inside of the nose have tiny hairs.
The tiny hairs that line in the nasal walls are part
of its cleaning system. They are called, cilia.
The inner lining of the nose is also moist
because of the presence of mucus, mucus
warms and moistens the air you breathe into
your lungs.

Pharynx/Throat
The pharynx collects incoming air from the nose
the mouth and passes downward to the trachea.
On the wall of the throat are the tonsils that often
become infected. The tonsils trap and destroy
the bacteria that enters your mouth.
Larynx/ Voice Box
The larynx contains the vocal cords. Moving air
that inhaled and exhaled creates sounds
because of the vibrations of the vocal cords.

Trachea/Windpipe
The trachea is the passage from the throat to the
lungs. It filters the air you breathe in. The
epiglottis is a flap of tissue that guards the
entrance to the trachea. it closes when you
swallow to prevent food from entering the
trachea.

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 The Lungs
The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system. The right lung is divided into three lobes
or sections. The left lung is divided into two lobes. Each lobe is like a balloon filled with a sponge-
like tissue.
The Bronchi and Bronchioles
The bronchi are two air tubes that branch of from
the trachea and carrying air directly into the lungs.
Each of the bronchial tubes continue to divide into
smaller passageways called bronchioles, at the
end of which air sacs or alveoli.

The Alveoli
The alveoli are tiny air sacs that are the destination
of the air we breathe in. there are capillaries or
blood vessels present in the walls of the alveoli.

The walls of the alveoli are very thin. They are lined
with fat and protein molecules to keep the air sacs
from collapsing.

The Diaphragm
The diaphragm is the main muscle used in breathing. It separates the chest cavity from the
abdominal cavity. When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts. When it contracts, it becomes flat
and moves downward. This movement enlarges the space for the expansion of the lungs. When
you exhale, the diaphragm expands reducing the amount of space for the lungs and forcing the
air to move out.

Common Ailments or Diseases of the Respiratory Systems

The lungs are sensitive to different kinds of ailments or disorders.
1. Common cold
It is an infection of the upper respiratory tract which lasts for few days. Common cold is
caused by a viral infection of the mucous membrane of the nose, throat and lungs.
2. Flu or Influenza
It is common infectious disease caused by a virus or bacteria, cold high fever, headache
and weakness are the symptoms of this disease.
3. Bronchitis
It is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes of the lungs. It results in the narrowing of
these bronchial tubes. The symptoms are high fever, cough and increased production
and spitting of sputum. Sputum is a mixture of saliva and mucus from the lungs and
throat. Chest discomfort, fatigue and body aches are additional symptoms.
4. Asthma
It Is respiratory disorder that happen when mucus in the bronchi and bronchioles
contract. This results to the reduction of the size of the air passage in the lungs.
5. Pneumonia

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 The ailment that infects the lungs and is caused by viral infection and bacteria. A person
with this ailment encounters chest pains, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, cough, chills
and spitting of blood.
6. Lung Cancer
It is a disease that harms the healthy tissues and organs of the body. The symptoms are
continuous coughing, chest pain and coughing with blood sputum.
7. Tuberculosis.
It is an acute or chronic infectious disease of the lungs caused by the bacteria “tubercle
bacilli”. The bacilli can remain dormant for years before become active. The symptoms
are fatigue, loss of weight and appetite, sweating, fever night and persistent coughing. In
severe cases the patient spits blood sputum during coughing.
Keeping the Respiratory System Healthy
The respiratory system is very important in continuing the function of the body. Here are some
ways to care for the respiratory system.
1. AVOID SMOKING. It is the best protection you can give your lungs.
2. AVOID HAZZARDS. Cigarette smoke, polluted air and occupational hazards can develop
lung disease.
3. MAINTAIN THE CLEANLINESS of your surroundings to prevent air pollution.
4. HAVE REGULAR EXERCISE to keep the body healthy and strong
5. COVER YOUR MOUTH when sneezing or coughing.
6. EAT THE RIGHT KINDS OF FOOD with the right amounts. When the body gets the
necessary nutrients, the resistance of the body to disease is increased.
7. CONSULT A DOCTOR early when you feel any of these lung disease symptoms present.
Follow doctor’s advice.
8. THINK ABOUT PREVENTION. Some illnesses can be prevented with vaccination

We should take care of our respiratory system by practicing proper health habits.

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Direction: refer to the previous passage and diagram. Choose the best answer to each item.

1. In respiration, the oxygen used by the body cells in inhaled and the waste
product given off is called. ______________.
A. carbon dioxide
B. carbon monoxide
C. perspiration
D. sweat
2. The diaphragm muscles are relaxed when you _________.
A. exhale C. rest
B. inhale D. sleep
3. The size of your chest _________ when you inhale.
A. does not change
B. becomes smaller
C. becomes larger
D. expands
4. Disease like influenza. Pneumonia and common cold are caused by. _____
A. amoeba C. protozoa
B. fungi D. virus
5. The tiny hairs and mucus in the nostrils are important because they ______.
A. give the nose its shape
B. make breathing normal
C. fitter the air you breathe
D. make the nasal cavity moist all the time.
6. You breathe heavily immediately after jogging because you need to _____.
A. get rid of sweat faster
B. remove carbon dioxide
C. make the heart beat slower
D. increase the supply of oxygen
7. All of the following help to make our respiratory system healthy and strong
EXCEPT _____.
A. plenty of fresh air
B. much work and no play
C. enough rest and exercise.
D. balance and nutritious diet.
8. Which of the system of the body makes the process of breathing possible?
A. circulatory system C. nervous system
B. digestive system D. respiratory system
9. The tiny hairs along the nasal cavities which filter the dust carried into the
nose.
A. alveoli C. cilia
B. bronchioles D. tonsils

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 10. The infection of the lungs caused by the bacteria, tubercle bacilli is called
A. brochities
B. tubercolosis
C. pneumonia
D. tuberculosis

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