Respiratory System Functions and Structures

To produce hormones

To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

To circulate blood throughout the body

To digest food

To filter blood

To produce sound

To increase surface area for air contact

To store oxygen

By filtering blood

By producing white blood cells

By housing tonsils that respond to pathogens

By producing antibodies

The nasal conchae

The epiglottis

The bronchioles

The trachea

To produce mucus

To move mucus and trapped particles toward the throat

To exchange gases in the alveoli

To transport oxygen to the blood

They collapse to conserve energy

They constrict to reduce airflow

They dilate to increase airflow

They produce more mucus

In the trachea

In the nasal cavity

In the bronchi

In the alveoli

To transport oxygen

To secrete surfactant

To produce mucus

To allow rapid gas diffusion

They produce surfactant

They engulf inhaled particles

They transport carbon dioxide

They secrete mucus

To produce mucus

To transport oxygen

To lower surface tension and prevent collapse

To increase surface tension