(6)	Respiratory+system++Efficiency+&+cleaning


 * Diagram of Respiratory System **

** Small Parts of Respiratory System **
====The respiratory system is a handy thing that keeps us from dying from asphyxiation. Asphyxiation is a condition that arises when the body is deprived of oxygen. It primary affects the tissues and the organs, and can lead to a coma or death. The respiratory system consists of 4 main parts: The nose, pharynx, trachea, and finally lungs. The respiratory also has several smaller parts which help to keep these parts running smoothly, like swallowing, mucus, coughing, and cilia. ====

**Sinuses** - Responsible for filtration, temperatature control and humidification of air as it enters the body.
**Cilia** - Hairlike structures lining the passageways to filter particles from incoming oxygen. **Trachea** (windpipe) - the lining of the trachea includes cells that secrete mucus and other cells that bear minute, harilike cilia. The mucus helps trap tiny particles in inhaled air. **Cilia** - The beating of the cilia moves the mucus upward and out to the respiratory tract, thereby helping to keep the lungs and airways free. **Larynx** - Carries air to and from the lungs. **Bronchus** - The air passage into the lungs. Each lung has one main bronchus, originating at the end of the trachea, that is divided into smaller branches known as segmental bronchi. These then further divide into bronchioles. **Alveoli** - Tiny Air sacs in the lungs at the ends of a bronchiole. Inhaled oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream by capillaries in the thin wall of each alveolus, and carbon dioxide passes the other way (from the blood into the lungs) to be breathed out. There are about 300 million alveoli in each lung ("Respiratory System"). . .  . media type="youtube" key="sU_8juD3YzQ?version=3" height="360" width="640" align="center"
 * Diagram of how Cillia Works **

====Mucus is one particularly important part. Mucus, or snot put in more simple terms, is created by what is called goblet cells, and its important because it serves multiple purposes. Firstly it traps any unwanted particles before they can enter your body. This is the reason why it is so tick and gooey. Secondly it keeps the throat, mouth, nose, sinuses, and even lungs moist by covering it. Keeping these organs moist is important if they are going to function properly. Third, it also contains antibodies which make it easier to identify foreign bacteria, as well as enzymes which help to kill the bacteria. ====
 * Mucus **

** Lungs **
Features of lungs is also one features that make the respiratory system efficient. The distance between air and the blood is very short because the walls of the alveoli and capillaries are extremely thin. The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration gradients are very steep. The dense network of alveolar capillaries has a very large surface area which is about 125 square feet. As the purpose of our lungs is to move oxygen in and out of the blood. This is why lungs are divided up so oxygen can flow quickly from air to blood by the large surface area ("What Features Make").



Air comes into the body through the nose and mouth and travels through the larynx (voice box) to the trachea, which branches into two main tubes or bronchi. From there air moves into the inner recesses of the lungs, where the lungs transfer oxygen into the blood via small air sacs called alveoli. Each alveolus has extremely thin walls containing a network of capillaries involved in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. These contract, pulling the lower surfaces of the lungs downward so they can fill with air. Stretch receptors in the lungs then send signals back to the brain, which causes the diaphragm and rib muscles to relax. This in turn causes the diaphragm to move upward, so that the air in exhaled. Blood is responsible for carrying both food and oxygen to cells. The cells use the oxygen to convert carbohydrates and fats into energy. The byproduct of this process is carbon dioxide, which the body exhales as the right side of the heart pumps blood with a high concentration of carbon dioxide into the lungs, there the carbon dioxide is replaced with oxygen, which causes the blood to change from a dark red to a bright red color. This indicates that hemoglobin has picked up the oxygen. The oxygen-enriched blood is then pumped through the left side of the heart, and next circulated thoughout the body. Then the carbon dioxide is exhaled ("Respiratory System").
 * Overall... **



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** How we keep our respiratory system clean without even knowing it: **
====Cilia are small hairs that line the Pharynx (airway). The cilia and the mucus work together to clear the throat of any dust or small particles. As you read in the last section, the mucus traps any foreign particles, but after that happens, the cilia kicks in. The small hairs transport the mucus to the bottom of the pharynx where it is swallowed and then dissolved in the stomach. ==== ====Breathing in with your nose and out with your mouth is a good way to breathe since it properly utilizes sinus and pharynx filtering mechanisms. It also helps the air temperature to be acclimated to the body temperature before it reach the lungs, which is especially important in hot or cold areas. ====

. Work Cited ====Bowen R. "Goblet Cells." Goblet Cells. Web. 23 May 2012. ."How the Respiratory System Keeps Itself Going?" ====

WikiAnswers. Answers. Web. 21 May 2012. .
===="Mucosolvan." Mucosolvan. Muscovlan, 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 May 2012. <[]>. ====

“Cigarette Ingredients.” Tri-County Cessation Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2012. .

“Lesson 19: Oxygen.” Mountain Empire Community College. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2012. .

“Respiratory System.” Nature’s Sunshine. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2012. <[]>. “What Features Make the Lungs Efficient Gas Exchange Structures?” Wiki Answers. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2012. <http://wiki.answers.com/‌Q/‌What_features_make_the_lungs_efficient_gas_exchange_structures>.

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