Respiratory System Blog Post: Human Body 2.0

militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com

Basics of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system is a very crucial system to our body. This systems job is to get oxygen flowing into your lungs, and out you nose, or mouth. Oxygen is important for your body because it supply's the nutrients that your cells need. The organs in the respiratory system include the lungs, nose, mouth, trachea, bronchi, larynx, and pharynx. The function of the nose an mouth are the entrance for the air to flow, as simple as that. The function of the lungs is to hold the oxygen you take in, and take the carbon dioxide produced in your body out. The function of the trachea is to create an airway, so air can circulate in and out of the lungs. Your bronchi are used to carry the oxygen from the trachea to your lungs. Your larynx is, put simply, your voice box. And Finally your pharynx is the carrier of air inhaled through your mouth. That a rundown of all the basics.

Interaction with Other Systems

The respiratory system works very closely with the circulatory system, as well as it goes visa-versa. Here's why. Your circulatory system carries oxygen through your body to provide nutrients for your cells. Your respiratory system is the one that supply's the oxygen. Why don't we dig a little deeper? Your lungs are very closely connected with the circulatory system. Actually your heart is dead in the center in-between both lungs. This allows the oxygen produced in the lungs, able to enter your bloodstream, and flow through your body.

Analogy

http://media.buzzle.com/

I believe that a bike pump can be closely compared to the respiratory system. I think this because both of their functions are very similar. I think of this because when you pull the handle up of the pump, it takes in air, to be stored in the center pump for however long its needed. This is very similar to oxygen entering your lungs. After the pump preforms this action, when you push down the handle, the air is pushed into the object you are trying to inflate. This is as if your were exhaling and letting out carbon dioxide. This is why I think a pump is like the respiratory system

Structure and Function

The structure of your lungs being expandable, greatly benefits its function. This is because, if your lungs weren't able to expand as far as they can now, they would barely be able to hold any air. This is because your lungs expansion (structure) allows air to be stored in your lungs (function). As you can clearly see, these two greatly support each other and are crucial for a well functioning respiratory system.

Sources - http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/respiratory, www.biology4kids.com, Brainpop - Respiratory system