The Respiratory System
The system that is responsible for us being able to breathe is called the respiratory system. The respiratory system is made up from a number of body parts; our nose and mouth, the trachea, lungs and diaphragm. Our lungs are made up of a variety of smaller vessels called alveoli which help us exchange the oxygen that we inhale and the carbon dioxide we exhale. It is important for our respiratory system to be able to exchange these gases so that our bodies have enough oxygen to survive and that we remove carbon dioxide so we don't get poisoned! Check out the labelled diagram of the respiratory system below.
Key Facts - The Respiratory System
- Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the parts of the body where it is needed. They also collect carbon dioxide from our body and return it to the lungs where we then exhale it.
- Adults breathe between 12-16 times a minute
- Breathing is controlled by a large muscle named the diaphragm which sits at the bottom of the lungs. When the diaphragm contracts we inhale, and when the diaphragm relaxes we exhale (see image above). The faster the diaphragm works is dependant on the physical exercise that our body is experiencing
- Air is inhaled through our nose and mouth, is filtered by our trachea before it is exchanged in our lungs. Oxygen and nutrients are then carried by our blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide and waste is taken to the lungs and then exhaled.
- Adults breathe between 12-16 times a minute
- Breathing is controlled by a large muscle named the diaphragm which sits at the bottom of the lungs. When the diaphragm contracts we inhale, and when the diaphragm relaxes we exhale (see image above). The faster the diaphragm works is dependant on the physical exercise that our body is experiencing
- Air is inhaled through our nose and mouth, is filtered by our trachea before it is exchanged in our lungs. Oxygen and nutrients are then carried by our blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide and waste is taken to the lungs and then exhaled.
Interactive Learning
View the videos below to learn more about how our respiratory system works and keeps our bodies supplied with oxygen!
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Activity Ideas
Quiz!
Test your knowledge on the respiratory system! Click on the image to begin
Test your knowledge on the respiratory system! Click on the image to begin
Interactive Game
Watch the small videos and work your way through the questions in this fun respiratory system activity. Click the image to begin!
Watch the small videos and work your way through the questions in this fun respiratory system activity. Click the image to begin!
Make your own lungs
Have a go at creating your own pair of lungs by using balloons and a plastic bottle. Click on the image to get further instructions. You may want to work in pairs for this one.
Have a go at creating your own pair of lungs by using balloons and a plastic bottle. Click on the image to get further instructions. You may want to work in pairs for this one.
Useful websites that were used to create this page:
http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?lic=1&article_set=59359&cat_id=20607#cat20579
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/pe/appliedanatomy/respiratory/1_anatomy_respiratorysys_act.shtml
http://www.csiro.au/helix/sciencemail/activities/balloonlung.html
http://www.oz-e-books.com/?s=respiratory+system
http://www.livescience.com/22616-respiratory-system.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/pe/appliedanatomy/respiratory/1_anatomy_respiratorysys_act.shtml
http://www.csiro.au/helix/sciencemail/activities/balloonlung.html
http://www.oz-e-books.com/?s=respiratory+system
http://www.livescience.com/22616-respiratory-system.html