Which of the following are functions of the respiratory system? Circle all that apply.
a. Providing for speech
b. Regulating the autonomic nervous system
c. Maintaining the acid-base balance of the blood
d. Temperature homeostasis
e. Raising the pressure in the abdominopelvic cavity
f. Assisting in blood pressure regulation
Introduction:
The primary function of the respiratory system is a gaseous exchange between the body and the atmosphere. Lungs are the primary organs where this gaseous exchange occurs. This gaseous exchange leads to body tissues getting oxygen for performing metabolic reactions and releasing carbon dioxide as waste.
Answer to Problem 1CYR
Correct answer:
The respiratory system helps in speech, maintaining the acid–base balance of the blood, raising the pressure in the abdominopelvic cavity, and assisting in blood pressure regulation.
Explanation of Solution
Explanation for the correct answer:
Option (a) states that the respiratory system is responsible for producing speech. The larynx, an organ of respiratory system, houses vocal cords that are responsible for the production of sound. Vocal cords or vocal folds are essentially folding of the mucosal lining of the larynx. The core of the vocal cords has vocal ligaments and sound is produced as the air passes through vocal ligaments, which vibrate to produce sound. Hence, option (a) is correct.
Option (c) states that the respiratory system maintains acid–base balance of the blood. An important mechanism to maintain pH of the blood is by chemical-based buffer systems. The most important buffer system of blood is carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system. The primary source of carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions in blood is carbon dioxide. When the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood increases, the pH of the blood decreases (acidity increases). Respiratory system, being responsible for exhaling the carbon dioxide, assists in the maintenance of blood pH. Hence, option (c) is correct.
Option (e) states that the respiratory system raises the pressure in the abdominopelvic cavity. The respiratory system deals with breathing that eventually leads to gaseous exchange. Upon holding breath, the diaphragm rises above and the pressure in the abdominopelvic cavity increases. This pressure helps to expel out things in the cavity during urination, defecation, and childbirth. Hence, option (e) is correct.
Option (f) states that the respiratory system assists in blood pressure regulation. Capillaries in the lungs are responsible for the production of an enzyme that synthesizes angiotensin-II, a vasoconstrictor, thereby regulating blood pressure. Hence, option (f) is correct.
Explanation for the incorrect answers:
Option (b) states that the respiratory system controls the autonomous nervous system. However, the autonomous nervous system controls bronchial smooth muscles to regulate respiration. So, it is an incorrect option.
Option (d) states that the respiratory system helps in temperature homeostasis. Temperature homeostasis, in humans, is a function of the brain, skin, and circulatory system. So, it is an incorrect option.
Hence, options (b) and (d) are incorrect.
Therefore, it can be concluded that functions of the respiratory system are to produce speech, maintenance of an acid–base balance of the body, increasing the pressure of the abdominopelvic cavity, and regulation of blood pressure. These functions are performed along with the gaseous exchange that is the main function of the respiratory system.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 21 Solutions
Human Anatomy & Physiology
- The respiratory system_______. a. provides body tissues with oxygen b. provides body tissues with oxygen and carbon dioxide c. establishes how many breaths are taken per minute d. provides the body with carbon dioxidearrow_forwardDuring inhalation, ________. a. the thoracic cavity expands d. the diaphragm relaxes c. atmospheric pressure declines d. the lungs deflatearrow_forwardOxygen in air must diffuse across______ to enter the blood. a. pleural sacs b. alveolar sacs c. a moist respiratory surface d. both b and carrow_forward
- Which is the order of airflow during inhalation? a. nasal cavity, trachea, larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli b. nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli c. nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchioles, bronchi, alveoli d. nasal cavity, trachea, larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoliarrow_forwardUnderwater, we humans cant compete with whales and other air-breathing marine mammals, which can stay submerged for extended periods. At the beach one day you meet a surfer who tells you that special training could allow her to swim underwater without breathing for an entire hour. From what you know of respiratory physiology, explain why she is mistaken.arrow_forwardWhich of the following statements about the lungs of an upright person is true? O A. The ventilation/perfusion ratio is higher at the top of the lung than at the bottom. O B. Blood flow to the top of the lung per gm of tissue is much greater than at the bottom. O C. Ventilation at the top of the lung per gm of tissue is greater than at the bottom O D. The ventilation/perfusion ratio is lower at the top of the lung than at the bottom. OE. None of the abovearrow_forward
- What occurs as air descends down through the conducting zone and respiratory zone structure? a. Cartilage rings are replaced by plates of Cartilage. b. Resistance to air flow decreases due to increased number of lobbies. c. Resistance to air flow increases as bronchioles diminish in diameter. d. Smooth muscle surrounding the bronchioles increases . e. The lining of the bronchioles changes from ciliated columnar to simple squamous epithelium.arrow_forwardA patient who breathes very slowly when wearing a low Flow of oxygen device would have: A. An increased concentration of oxygen in the lungs B. A decreased concentration of oxygen in the lungs C. There is no effect on oxygen concentration in the lungs D. There is a minimal if no effect on oxygen concentration in the lungsarrow_forwardA respiratory chemoreceptor is a sensory receptor that transduces achemical signal into an action potential. Which of the following is FALSEabout the respiratory chemoreceptors? Explain the answer. a. The central chemoreceptor is located at the primary respiratory control in the brain.b. The peripheral chemoreceptors are at the lower airways of the respiratory zone.c. Central chemoreceptors are sensitive to increased carbon dioxide.d. Peripheral chemoreceptors are sensitive to decreased oxygen levels.arrow_forward
- Which of the following statements is CORRECT? Select one: a. Reduction of atmospheric air pressure increases alveolar PO2. b. Reduction of plasma protein in blood increases alveolar PO2. c. Increase in ventilation increases alveolar PO2. d. Increase in metabolism increases alveolar PO2. e. Increase in the amount of hemoglobin increases arterial PO2arrow_forwardWhich of the following statements are true of the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries? (Read carefully and select all of the correct statements.) A. Blood coming into the pulmonary capillaries is low in O2 and high in CO2. B. The alveolar walls are one cell in thickness.C. The total alveoli provide a large surface area for gas exchange.D. The pulmonary capillaries are made of simple squamous epithelium. E. Blood leaving the pulmonary capillaries will return to the left atrium of the heart.arrow_forwardDJ runs up a flight of stairs. His respiratory rate increases from 18 breaths per minute (bpm) to 36 bpm. What is the probable cause of the increase in respiratory rate?a. incraesed blood pHb. increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the bloodc. increased oxygen concentration in the bloodd. decreased carbon dioxide concentration in the bloodarrow_forward
- Basic Clinical Lab Competencies for Respiratory C...NursingISBN:9781285244662Author:WhitePublisher:CengageConcepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax CollegeComprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a...NursingISBN:9781305964792Author:Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy CorreaPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage Learning