Use the Guiding Principles document provided in the main menu. Select 3 guiding
ID: 3523869 • Letter: U
Question
Use the Guiding Principles document provided in the main menu. Select 3 guiding principles and explain how they can be applied to the respiratory system. For each of them, provide specific examples of structures or physiological processes that exemplify the principle.
Guiding Principles of A&P
•
Cells
form the founda7on of body structure and
func7on
•
The body is organized into a
hierarchy
of
increasing complexity
•
Body systems are func7onally
integrated
•
Structure and func7on are closely
related
•
Rela7vely
stable
internal condi7ons are
maintained despite changing external condi7ons
•
Informa7on flow
coordinates
body func7ons
•
Energy
input is needed to sustain life
Explanation / Answer
Respiratory system is a set of organs that help us in gas exchange. It is an efficient system that pumps atmoshpheric air in to saturate blood with oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide and then pumps out the gaseous waste from ouy body. This system starts from the nose and mouth which are the entry point of air. Then this progress to nasal cavity to pharynx a empty space. Then the system turns into a tract. It starts from larynx, and trachea. Trachea then divides into left and right primary bronchus. The two bronchi enters into the left and right lungs, the most important organ of respiratory system. The lungs are situated inside the rib cage. The two primary bronchi further branches into secondary and further into tertiari bronchi. Bronchi then divides into smaller bronchiole tubes. Bronchiole tubes end into terminal bronchioles where they make net like structure of alveolar. This hollow sac like structure holds atmospheric air and allows integrated blood vessels to exchange gases.
From the list of Guiding Principles, three that can be related to the respiratory system are:
1. Cells form the foundation of body structure and function:
Cells are the structural and functional unit of life. It makes the simple microbes of simple functions to higher complex organism like human with very complex function. Cells together form complex organs and similar organs come together and work in unison to form organ system. The cells not only form organ structurally, they are also responsible for organs function. Just like other organ system in our body, respiratory system is also made up of cells.
Based on structural and functional type cells form four different types of tissue. Connective, muscle, nervous and epithelial. Every organs are made of this four type tissue in different ratio. Respiratory system is also made of such tissues. The basic structural support is given by Epithelial and muscle tissue. Also connective tissue and nervous tissue spread across the structure. Epithelial cells of lungs are the most important. Along with structural support, it also responsible for the main function of respiratory system, gas exchange. Simle squamous epithelial cells of lung alveolars allow gas to diffuse through them to the connective tissue, blood cells.
Thus cells is responsible for the structural and functional jobs for respiratory system.
2. Body systems are functionally integrated.
Our body is made of 11 major organ systems, Nervous, Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Excretory, Endocrine, Integumentary, Immune, Skeletal, Muscle and Reproductory. These systems are dependent to each other for structural and functional reasons. Their unity makes an alive organism.
The main function of respiratory system is gas exchange, providing our body with life-giving oxygen and excreting the metabolic waste carbon dioxide. Oxygen is needed for metabolism. Metabolism in every cells keep them alive. Oxygen helps burn glucose to produce energy. This energy then runs other metabolic pathways. Every single cell of every organ system use oxygen which they get because respiratory system keeps on pumping air in and out of our body.
The circulatory system is integrated in to respiratory system for ease of gas exchange. Skeletal system protects respiratory system from external forces. Muscle system helps pumping the lungs. Digestive system absorbs nutrients which is provided to respiratory cells to remain active and alive. Also on smaller scale, respiratory system and our immune system is linked. The immune cells that are present in the inner linings of the respiratory tracts prevents foreign dust particle, pathogen from entering into our system through the body. Nervous system keeps the rhythm of respiratory system in check.
Thus Respiratory system provides oxygen to other system to remain alive and in return othe system helps respiratory system to function properly.
3. Relatively stable internal conditons are maintained despite changing external conditons
Our body is very dynamic and responsive. It keeps our bodily functions in proper tune even though the environment is disturbed upto a limit. Our respiratory system is also responsive to environmental change. It can adapt to change in external conditions. The main function of respiratory system is gas exchange. At sea level the respiratory system functions optimally. But change in atmoshpheric pressure may affect gas exchanging process. Also oxygen concentration of air have an effect on respiratory system. But respiratory system adjust itself by hyperventilating or hypoventilating to keep the gas exchange stable. The nervous system and muscle systems helps in the process. This adaptation also help other system (like circulation, nervous, muscle etc.) to function properly. Thus internal conditions are maintained albeit change in external conditions.
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