Respiratory system in humans

Breathing or can also be called respiration which can be defined as a process of

taking in oxygen and releasing carbohydrates and using the energy that is in the body.

When humans breathe, it means that there is a process of entering oxygen into the
body and releasing carbon dioxide out of the body. The exchange between oxygen and
carbon dioxide occurs in human blood. Humans who have normal breathing are
characterized by breathing 12-20 times in one minute.

In breathing, generally humans need 300 liters of oxygen a day. If a person is doing
heavy work such as sports, the need for oxygen will increase many times. The amount of
oxygen taken depends on the type of activity carried out, body size and the type of food
consumed.

Generally, people who do strenuous activities will take in more oxygen than people
who do light activities. People who have larger bodies also need more oxygen. In addition,
people who often consume meat will need more oxygen than people who consume
vegetables or vegetarians more often.

Humans can do two ways of breathing, namely using chest breathing and abdominal
breathing. Humans breathe using a tool or respiratory organs consisting of the nose,
pharynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and lungs.

In normal lungs, the volume of air can reach 4500 cc. This capacity is commonly
known as the total capacity. when the breathing process takes place, the vital capacity of air
used is only up to 3500 cc. Vital capacity is the maximum amount of air that a person can
exhale after filling their lungs. Then where is the rest of the 1000 cc? The remaining 1000 cc
is leftover air that cannot be used. The remaining air will fill the lungs as residue.
 The amount of air that enters and leaves the body with each breath is called the
respiratory rate. Respiratory frequency in humans is influenced by several factors, namely
age, sex, body temperature, body position and activities carried out. The older you get, the
lower the respiratory rate. In addition, men have a higher respiratory rate than women
because the need for oxygen and the production of carbon dioxide in the male body is
higher than in the female body.

Breathing is a process that occurs automatically in the human body. Even when we
fall asleep though. Breathing is divided into two, namely external breathing and deep
breathing. External respiration is where the exchange of air in the alveoli with blood in the
capillaries occurs. While deep breathing is where breathing occurs between the blood in the
capillaries and all the cells in the body.

 Functions of the Human Respiratory System

The human respiratory organs have the function of entering oxygen-containing air and
exhaling it in carbon dioxide and water vapor compounds. In addition to breathing, the
human respiratory system also has a function to make sounds. Here are some of the
functions of the human respiratory system:
1. Inhale and exhale or exhale
In the lungs, air is inhaled through the nasal cavity and mouth. Then it will move
through the pharynx, larynx and trachea and then towards the lungs. Then the air
will be exhaled and flow through the same path. when you inhale, the diaphragm
and ribs lift. As lung volume increases, air pressure decreases and air is drawn in. On
exhalation, the muscles relax, the lungs become smaller and air is expelled.
2. Gas Exchange between Lungs & Blood Stream
In the lungs, there will be an exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide waste.
This process is called external respiration and occurs in the alveoli. Inhaled oxygen
binds to hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells and is pumped through the
bloodstream.
3. Exchange of gases between the bloodstream and tissues in the body
Blood flow will deliver oxygen to the body's cells and dispose of carbon dioxide
waste. This process is called internal respiration. In this process, red blood cells will
carry oxygen absorbed from the lungs throughout the body through blood vessels.
4. Creating Sound
air vibrates the vocal cords to create a sound. These sounds are formed by
structures in the upper respiratory tract. During breathing air will flow from the
lungs to the voice box. When humans speak, the muscles in the larynx move the
arytenoid cartilages, which in turn pushes the vocal cords. Vibration of the vocal
cords will produce a high pitched sound. Meanwhile, a small vibration will make a
low-pitched sound.
 5. Smell
the process of smell begins with the olfactory fibers that line the nasal cavities.
When air enters the nasal cavity, the chemicals in the air activate the receptors of
the nervous system. This stimulus will send a signal to the brain. The signal will
move and from there humans can recognize smells.

 Organs and Parts of the Human Respiratory System

1. Nasal cavity
Air coming from outside will enter the nasal cavity. Inside the nasal cavities, which
are covered with membranes, there are oil glands as well as sweat glands. The
membrane functions to catch foreign objects that enter the respiratory tract.
Inside the nasal cavity there are also small and thick hairs. The hairs have the
function of filtering dirt particles that enter the nose along with the air. In addition
there are also konka which has a function to warm the cold air that enters the nasal
cavity.
2. Pharynx or Throat
Air entering from the nasal cavity will pass through the throat. The throat has two
branches, namely the respiratory tract and digestive tract which are located at the
back. The main function of the throat is to provide a channel for air to enter and
exit. In the throat there are also vocal cords that are useful for producing sound.
When air enters, the vocal cords vibrate and produce sound.
If someone eats while talking, it can be dangerous because food can enter the
respiratory tract that is open. Even so, human nerves can regulate so that
swallowing, breathing and speaking do not occur at the same time. If this is done
frequently can cause health problems.
Therefore, it is very important for us to take care of the nose and throat as a part of
the breathing process. Grameds can understand how to care for it through the book
Let's Take Care of Your Ears, Nose and Throat.
3. Trachea or windpipe
The throat is a pipe-shaped organ that is located part of the neck down to the chest
cavity. The wall of the pharynx is very thin and rigid and is contained within a
ciliated cavity. These cilia have a function to filter foreign objects that enter through
the respiratory tract.
The windpipe is in front of the esophagus. The windpipe has two branches. The
branches from the throat will branch again in the lungs and become small tubes
called bronchioles. In the bronchioles there are small bubbles called lung bubbles or
alveoli.
4. Larynx or pharynx
The larynx is a respiratory organ that is shaped like a canal and is surrounded by
cartilage. The larynx has a cartilage called the epiglottis. This cartilage is at the base
 of the larynx. The larynx is also covered by a membrane called the mucosa. The
membrane has stratified epithelium that is thick enough to block sound vibrations
reaching the larynx.
The main function of the larynx is as a place for air to enter and exit and also as a
place to produce sound. This is where the heart is formed which is composed of
several larynx cartilages. Inside the larynx there is also a valve. When humans are
swallowing food, the valve at the base of the throat will close and will open if
humans are breathing.
5. Bronchus or trachea branches
The function of the trachea is to provide a pathway for air to enter and exit from
and to the lungs. The structure of the windpipe is similar to that of the windpipe.
The only difference is that the cartilage in the trachea has an irregular shape. on the
pharynx there is also a well encircling cartilaginous ring. The trachea branch has
more branches called bronchioles.
The windpipe has two branches, namely the branches on the left and right. The two
branches lead to the lungs and branch again. The small branches that enter the
lungs are called alveoli. Alveoli have blood capillaries. Through these capillaries,
oxygen and air enter the blood.
6. Pulmo or lungs
The lungs are in the upper chest cavity. Next to the lungs are the ribs and below
them is the diaphragm. The lungs are divided into two parts, namely the right and
left. The right lung consists of three lobes, while the left lung has only two lobes.
The lungs are covered by a thin membrane.
Inside the lungs there are branches from the bronchi, alveoli and blood vessels.
Bronchioles have more branches called respiratory bronchioles. The lungs are the
place for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

 Human Respiratory Process

1. Chest Breathing
When we breathe using the chest, the muscles that play a role are the muscles
around the ribs. These muscles are divided into two namely the outer rib muscles
and the inner ribs. the outer rib muscles have a role to lift the ribs. Meanwhile, the
inner rib muscles have a function to lower the rib cage to its normal position.
If the muscles on the outer ribs contract, the ribs will be lifted so that the volume in
the chest becomes larger. This will cause the pressure in the chest cavity to become
smaller. Because the air pressure inside the chest cavity decreases, it will cause air
to enter from outside the body into the body. This process is called inspiration.
When the muscles in the ribs contract, and the ribs return to their original position,
it will cause the air pressure in the body to increase. This will cause the air in the
 lungs to be pressed against the chest cavity so that the air flow will be pushed out of
the body. This process is known as expiration.
2. Abdominal Breathing
Chest breathing, also known as diaphragmatic breathing, is breathing that uses the
diaphragm and the wall muscles in the abdominal cavity. the diaphragm muscle will
contract and its position will be flat. This causes the volume of the chest cavity to
increase and the air pressure to decrease. Due to the low air pressure, the lungs
expand. That's when air enters the lungs or the process of inhaling air.
While the process of exhalation of abdominal breathing occurs when the diaphragm
muscles relax and the muscles in the abdominal wall contract. This will cause the
inside of the abdominal cavity to be pushed towards the diaphragm. So that it
causes the position of the diaphragm to be concave towards the chest cavity.
Actually, humans are born naturally to breathe using the diaphragm completely. So
that the breath taken can be deeper. However, with age, humans no longer practice
the habit of breathing using this diaphragm. Everything that we do everyday
without realizing it forces us to gradually switch to chest breathing.
When breathing with the diaphragm or abdominal breathing, it will encourage
oxygen exchange more optimally than chest breathing. It's no wonder that belly
breathing slows the heart rate and can lower blood pressure.

 How to Maintain Respiratory Organs

1. Avoid smoking
Maybe almost everyone already knows that smoking is a bad habit and can bring
various diseases. Even if you are not a smoker, passive smokers can feel the same
bad effects. Every time you smoke, you will inhale thousands of chemicals into your
lungs such as nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. These materials can cause
irritation and difficulty breathing.
2. Exercising
When humans exercise, the heart will beat faster and the lungs too. When you
exercise, your body will need more oxygen. When exercising, humans, who usually
breathe 15 times per minute, become 40 to 60 times per minute. that's why it's
important to do regular exercise.
The more you exercise, the more efficient your lungs will be. Creating healthy lungs
through exercise will help fight aging and disease that will appear.
3. Avoid exposure to pollution
Maybe this is quite difficult to do, especially if you live in an urban area. Pollution
can be everywhere. Pollution can damage the lungs and accelerate aging. But you
can avoid pollution by wearing a mask. In addition, avoid exposure to cigarette
smoke which can also harm the body.
4. Avoid infection
The best way to avoid lung infections is to maintain good hygiene. Always wash your
hands before consuming food. Clean the body regularly. Drink lots of mineral water
and always eat fruits and vegetables every day. By consuming healthy food will help
maintain the immune system.
 Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is meant by breathing?

a. A process of taking oxygen and releasing carbohydrates and using energy in the
body.
b. A metabolic process in which a living thing processes a substance, in order to
chemically or mechanically convert that substance into nutrients.
c. An ecological system formed from a process of mutual reaction between living
things and their environment.
d. The number of inhabitants, both humans and other living things in a certain place
or environment.

2. What is the function of the nostrils when breathing?

a. Provides a channel for air to enter and exit.
b. Provides a passageway for air to enter and leave the lungs.
c. Filters dirt particles that enter the nose along with the air.
d. As a place for air to enter and exit and also a place to produce sound.

3. When does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occur?

a. The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide when air is in the bronchi.
b. The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide when the air is in the
Alvelous.
c. The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide when air is in the pharynx.
d. The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide when air is in the lungs.

4. Where is the larynx located?

a. Inside the nostrils or called nose hairs.
b. Alveoli are inside the lungs.
c. in the upper chest cavity.
d. The larynx or Adam's apple is located at the back of the pharynx.

5. What is the role of fine hairs on the nose?

a. A site for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
b. Its role is to filter dirty air that enters the lungs.
c. As a place for air to enter and exit and also a place to produce sound.
d. Catch foreign objects that enter the respiratory tract.

6. Why do humans breathe?

a. To survive.
b. To refresh your body and mind.
 c. To meet his needs.
d. Humans breathe to get oxygen.

7. Who needs to breathe?

a. Barbie doll.
b. Living things.
c. Ankle.
d. Thumb

Name : Chilla Adis Violita

Student ID Number : 1119210010
Class : PGSD A 2021
Material title : SCIENCE (Respiratory system in humans)
Link : https://www.gramedia.com/literasi/sistem-pernapasan-
manusia/amp/