Resp Sytem
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Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Respiratory System
Morgan Wise
Purdue University Global
HS 116: Survey of Human Structure and Function
July 20, 2023
2
Respiratory System
The respiratory system is a group of organs, muscles, and tissues that help the
body to breathe. The muscles of the respiratory system power the lungs. The exchange
of gases between the air and our blood is fueled by this system. The oxygen we need to
survive helps to fuel cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is the process by which our
bodies obtain glucose from glucose. This is also how the body produces carbon dioxide,
a waste gas. The respiratory system is also responsible for getting rid of carbon dioxide.
The cells of the body use the oxygen we breathe and then those same cells
produce carbon dioxide to release into the bloodstream. The carbon dioxide is carried to
the lungs and then exhaled. This gas exchange is an obvious way that helps to maintain
our bodies homeostasis. This is one the obvious ways that the respiratory system
contributes to homeostasis, but the respiratory system contributes to our equilibrium in
other ways as well.
The acid-base balance in our body is maintained by the gas exchange that
occurs in our lungs. If our pH level is too high, this causes increased respiration. This
helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our blood. The opposite is true when
the blood is too alkaline. This in turn will slow the breathing and increase the carbon
dioxide in the body making the pH lower. This is an important part of maintaining our
body’s pH.
The respiratory system contributes to temperature regulation. This may be
surprising because it does not seem like something this system would contribute to.
Exhalation is one of the ways the human body dissipates excess heat. The air that
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enters the lungs is warmed by body heat and then it is exhaled. This mechanism paired
with the evaporation of sweat cools the body.
The way biological systems maintain equilibrium is through homeostasis. The
respiratory system is a vital piece of that balance. Gas exchange, air humidification,
body temperature, protection, and sense of smell are a few of the things that this
system maintains. Keeping your lungs healthy should be a priority. Lung capacity
declines as we age. The body has a natural defense system to protect your respiratory
system, but it is important to reduce your risk factors. Do not smoke, monitor the air
quality indoors and outdoors, get regular check-ups, and exercise to help keep the
lungs strong. Our respiratory system is something that must be protected, so that it can
continue to perform the vital functions for our everyday lives.
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References
Kaminsky, D. A., Cockcroft, D. W., & Davis, B. E. (2023, July). Respiratory System
Dynamics. In
Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
. 333 Seventh
Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc..
Miller, C. (2020). 4.10 Cellular Respiration.
Human Biology-Excerpts for BBIO 053
.
Morris, T. A. Evaluation of Arterial Blood Gases and Acid–Base Homeostasis.
Manual of
clinical ProblEMS
in PulMonary MEdicinE
, 23.
West, J. (2013).
What Is the Respiratory System’s Role in Homeostasis?
Sciencing.
https://sciencing.com/what-is-the-respiratory-systems-role-in-homeostasis
12730698.html