RESPIRATORY SYSTEM UNDERSTANDING OF RESPIRATORY FLOW AND ITS DEMAND IN HUMAN MUSCULOSKELETAL MOVEMENT

Introduction This paper is an attempt to elucidate the nature of respiratory system of human body by looking at its flow and demand particularly in human musculoskeletal movement. The writer has divided this paper into few sections. The first section will be exploring the nature human respiratory system. It is essential as it will give a brief idea on the topic highlighted for this assignment. By knowing the function, it will enable the writer to understand its importance. The clear illustration of human respiratory system will help us to see the inner organ and the respiratory process that taken place in human body. At the end of this paper, the writer will make her concluding remark based on the topic assigned to her. Some important references will be given at the end of this paper. The topic of respiratory system requires lots of reading particularly from those medical and anatomy literatures. Perhaps, it is a good opportunity for the writer to understand the respiratory system of human body as it is a continuous process that only ended when human is dead. Frankly, she does not have a clear idea on how to expand the flow of this assignment. However, with the help from her course instructor, she will able to understand and finally write this assignment. The writer has also engaged in reviewing the four text books mainly in the field of sports science, anatomy, physiology and kinesiology in order to understand the topic that assigned by her course instructor. In the context of sports science, by knowing the respiratory process, it will enhance the writers understanding and perhaps the knowledge that she learns could be applied in the near future not only for the sports science but also for her daily activities.

Understanding Respiratory System An Initial Outlook Biological Stature of Respiratory System

Illustration 1: Biological Structure of Human Respiratory System Based on the illustration 1, we found out the unique structure of human respiratory system. This unique structure has enabled human to experience exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide gas, to smell as well as to produce voice. This is how the respiratory system functions in human life. Indeed, the unique physique of respiratory system can be easily divided into two parts namely; upper respiratory and lower respiratory systems (Balastanga, N. & Soames, R., 2012). The upper respiratory system consists of nose and pharynx. The lower part of respiratory system on the other hands consists of larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. These biological components have enabled human to breathe the fresh air from their surroundings. They also performed specific function as required by human body particularly in respiration process.

The nature of respiratory system and its function It is not an exaggeration to state that human body is made up of trillions of living cells. Each of these requires energy especially to carry out the various tasks and functions to keep our bodies alive. Indeed, human circulatory system carries food from digestive system to all living cells in human body. Accordingly, the cells need oxygen gas to release the energy from food. This unique process is called respiration. According to Thurnell (2011), the respiratory process is essential for all living existences on earth. Living human, has a complex system of respiration. They get their oxygen from the air that surrounds our planet. The air is made up of 78 per cent nitrogen and 21 per cent oxygen. The other 1 per cent includes argon, carbon dioxide, water vapour, and some other gases in very small amounts (Shier, D.; Butler, J. & Lewis, R., 2012). The air is breathed in and goes to lungs. The exchange process of oxygen has eventually a waste product called carbon dioxide. In the context of human respiratory system, air is typically entered the body through the nostrils of the nose (see illustration 1). It is found that in the process, small hairs just inside the nostrils may stop some of the unwanted dust and dirt particles found in the air. Then, the air moves from the nostrils into the two nasal cavities (Marrieb, N., 1995). It is interesting to find out that the air is heated by warm blood flowing through blood vessels in the nasal cavities. This is similar to car radiator. Air could be brought into the body also via the mouth. However, there are fewer opportunities for dust and dirt particles to be removed. Apart from breathing, nose also produces liquid called mucus. According to the human biological law, this mucus is replaced at every 20 minutes. Certainly it has two main roles. First and foremost, the presence of mucus will add some moisture and to prevent our respiratory system from drying out. Secondly, mucus could catch unwanted particles and bacteria from the air.

Illustration 2: The oesophagus position in respiratory system In addition to human respiratory system, the stomach is also essential as it releases digestive juices. These juices have contained hydrochloric acid (Thurnell, 2011; Marrieb, N., 1995). Indeed, it can be used to destroy the foreign material. Sometimes, we may experience irritation. It is due to the particles caught in the mucus of the nasal cavities. It causes sneezing. Indirectly, it is another way to release unwanted particles from the body. In a nutshell, the air travels into the throat from the nose. At this juncture, the throat leads to two separate ways namely oesophagus and trachea. Oesophagus is the tube leading to the stomach (see illustration 2). The trachea is a tube leading to the lungs. We may also find that at the top of the trachea, there is a small flap called the epiglottis. The epiglottis covers the opening to the trachea. It will not allow food to travel into the trachea when we swallow. While we are breathing, this flap will open. It allows the air to enter the trachea and the whole respiratory system in human body.

A good respiratory system of Human body

In gaining a healthy respiratory system, we are advised to exercise regularly and maintain healthy lifestyle. Indeed, exercising activities will help us to build up muscle. Firstly, in specific reference to respiratory system, it is noticeable the leading cause of lung cancer is due to smoking habit (Palastanga, N. & Soames, R., 2012; Marrieb, N., 1995). Whether we realize or not, smoking habit causes many problems to human body. The chemicals inside cigarettes do damage to the lungs and the whole respiratory system (Shier, D.; Butler, J. & Lewis, R., 2012). In particular the nicotine in cigarettes is a chemical that is addictive to human body. This addictiveness has made it very difficult for people to stop smoking habit. Their bodies have immuned to that chemical.

Illustration 3: Smoking habit affected human respiratory system As shown in the illustration 3, the smoking habit could also expose human body to carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide is dangerous as it could replace oxygen in the blood. Indeed, the haemoglobin in the blood is attracted more to carbon monoxide than oxygen (Thurnell, J., 1995). Correspondingly, fewer oxygen levels are transported to the cells and tissues in human body. This is absolutely harmful. Additionally, tar is also identified as another damaging substance found in cigarette. This chemical enters the lungs in a vapour

form. It then liquefies inside the lungs and could block passageways and lead to various cardiovascular problems (see illustration 4). The impact of tar to lungs is absolutely damaging.

Illustration 4: The effect of tar chemical to lungs However, there is a silver lining for those who intend to stop smoking. It is proven as almost million people successfully stop smoking. When they stop, a healing process could improve the health of lungs over the years. Indeed, it is the health of our body as well as the living cells that matter most.

Conclusion In a nutshell, the respiratory system is essential to human living. The oxygen and carbon dioxide exchanging process occur in this system. Indeed, the system is divided into two parts; upper and lower, as both played their specific functions. As a matter of fact, the system functions as a mechanism of gas exchange, smelling tool, as a tool for screening the air from unwanted particle and dust, and essential in vocal or voice projection. Therefore, in maintaining a sound health of our respiratory system, it is essential for us to maintain a healthy life style and avoid the activities that could harm this system. Smoking habit, for

instance, could harm our respiratory system which eventually leads to many other internal diseases. Practising a healthy life style is the only option in order to maintain our good body. Indeed, it has certainly fulfilled the demand of human musculoskeletal movement. References Marieb, Elaine N. (1995). Human anatomy and physiology (6th ed.). Pearson: Boston Palastanga, N & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Churchill Livingstone: London Shier, D; Butler, J & Lewis, R. (2012). Holes human anatomy and physiology (11th ed.). McGraw Hill: New York Thurnell, J. (2011). Kinesiology. Lifework potential limited: London