Biology HL
Biology HL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme B - Form & Function
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme B - Form & Function

Optimize Lung Health Understanding Ventilation

Word Count Emoji
369 words
Reading Time Emoji
2 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

🎈 Fun Fact!:  Did you ever blow up a balloon and let it go? The air rushes out and the balloon flies around the room. That's a bit like how your lungs work, with air moving from high to low pressure. Let's explore!

The airways - your body's natural breathing tubes

  • Components

    • 🍓 Nose & Mouth: The main entry and exit doors for the air you breathe.
    • 🌳 Trachea: Think of it as the tree trunk of your airways.
    • 🌿 Bronchi: Branches splitting from the trachea.
    • 🍃 Bronchioles: Tiny branches that spread deeper into your lungs.
  • Special Features

    • Trachea and bronchi have cartilage walls - just like the stiff collar on a high-quality polo shirt to keep them from collapsing.
    • Bronchioles have smooth muscle fibres. These are like zippers that can adjust the width.

Simple physics of breathing

  • Gas & Volume: Imagine trying to stuff all your toys into a tiny box. It gets really tight and crammed inside! Similarly:
    • When gas spreads in a big space, its pressure drops.
    • When gas is packed in a small space, its pressure increases.
  • Gas Movement: Gas is like water flowing downhill. It goes from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.

Ventilation process - breathing life

  • Inspiration (Breathing In)
    • Muscles contract.
    • Pressure inside your chest (thorax) goes below the normal air pressure.
    • Air rushes in, just like when you suck on a straw!
  • Expiration (Breathing Out)
    • Different muscles contract.
    • Pressure inside your chest becomes higher than the normal air pressure.
    • Air is pushed out, aided by stretchy elastic fibres in the lungs (think of these like rubber bands stretching and snapping back).

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IB Resources
Theme B - Form & Function
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme B - Form & Function

Optimize Lung Health Understanding Ventilation

Word Count Emoji
369 words
Reading Time Emoji
2 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

🎈 Fun Fact!:  Did you ever blow up a balloon and let it go? The air rushes out and the balloon flies around the room. That's a bit like how your lungs work, with air moving from high to low pressure. Let's explore!

The airways - your body's natural breathing tubes

  • Components

    • 🍓 Nose & Mouth: The main entry and exit doors for the air you breathe.
    • 🌳 Trachea: Think of it as the tree trunk of your airways.
    • 🌿 Bronchi: Branches splitting from the trachea.
    • 🍃 Bronchioles: Tiny branches that spread deeper into your lungs.
  • Special Features

    • Trachea and bronchi have cartilage walls - just like the stiff collar on a high-quality polo shirt to keep them from collapsing.
    • Bronchioles have smooth muscle fibres. These are like zippers that can adjust the width.

Simple physics of breathing

  • Gas & Volume: Imagine trying to stuff all your toys into a tiny box. It gets really tight and crammed inside! Similarly:
    • When gas spreads in a big space, its pressure drops.
    • When gas is packed in a small space, its pressure increases.
  • Gas Movement: Gas is like water flowing downhill. It goes from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.

Ventilation process - breathing life

  • Inspiration (Breathing In)
    • Muscles contract.
    • Pressure inside your chest (thorax) goes below the normal air pressure.
    • Air rushes in, just like when you suck on a straw!
  • Expiration (Breathing Out)
    • Different muscles contract.
    • Pressure inside your chest becomes higher than the normal air pressure.
    • Air is pushed out, aided by stretchy elastic fibres in the lungs (think of these like rubber bands stretching and snapping back).

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟