UNIT 1 THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

UNIT 1 THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

1.1  Our respiratory system

Breathing is the process of taking in air into our body and giving it out again. Some organs in our respiratory system are nose, windpipe, air tubes, lungs, and air sacs. The air rushes through our nose when we breathe. Our windpipe branches into two smaller air tubes. Each air tube lead into our lungs. The air sacs gathered the air we breathe.

1.2  Breathe in, breathe out.

When we breathe, we take in air rich in oxygen and give out air rich in carbon dioxide. The air we breathe in is called inhaled or inspired air. The air we breathe out is called exhaled or expired air. When we breathe in our rib cage moves outward and upwards. When we breathe out the rib cage moves inward and downwards.

The oxygen we breathe in is used in a process called respiration. Respiration is a process in which our cells use oxygen and sugar in the food to produce energy. Respiration also produce carbon dioxide and water.

1.3  Common illness related to our respiratory system

Examples of illness that affect our respiratory system are asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, and tuberculosis. Asthma may be caused by an allergy. Asthma attacks can be prevented and controlled by identifying that causes the allergy. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the windpipes and the two main air tubes that lead to lungs. Some bronchitis can be cured by proper treatment.

Emphysema is the enlargement of air sacs in the lungs. It is usually caused by smoking. Someone with emphysema must stop smoking so that the treatment can work effectively. Lung cancer develops when in the lungs grow and multiply without control and forming a tumor. The best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke at all and avoid second hand smoke from other people cigarettes. Tuberculosis is an infectious and inflammatory lung disease. Tuberculosis result in lung damage. Treatment of tuberculosis involves taking several kinds of medicine for period of time.

1.4  Keeping our respiratory system healthy.

We can avoid respiratory illness by keeping our body healthy, avoiding polluted places, and saying No to smoking.

1.5  Animal respiratory system.

Some body parts that animals use to obtain oxygen are lungs, openings in the body, gills, and moist skin. Most land animals breathe with lungs. Insects and breathe through opening in their body. Earthworm breathe through their moist skin. Frog breathe through their lungs on land and breathe with moist skin in water. Mammals such as whale and dolphin breathe with their lungs and take air through their blowholes. Fish breathe with their gills.