5th Grade Science

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

In order to stay alive, the body has to breathe air. We

breathe the oxygen and we breathe out carbon dioxide, this
process is known as respiration.
Breathing happens automatically. Every day the body
breathes about 20,000 times. By the time we reach 70 years
old, thats about 600 million breaths. All those breathing occur
because of the respiratory system which includes the Nostrils,
Nasal Cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Trachea and Lungs.

WHAT IS RESPIRATORY SYSTEM?

The respiratory system is the group of tissues and organs
in your body that allow you to breathe. This system includes
your airways, your lungs, and the blood vessels and muscles
attached to them that work together so you can breathe. It is
responsible for breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon
dioxide in our body. Oxygen is used by your cells as it performs
the functions of life. As your body uses oxygen, your cells
produce another gas known as carbon dioxide. Too much
carbon dioxide can be toxic, even deadly. For this reason, it is
important that your body have a way to get rid of it.

5th Grade Science

PARTS OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ITS

FUNCTIONS
1. Nostril
Nostrils are involved in air intake, i.e. they bring air into the
nose, where air is warmed and humidified. The tiny hairs called
cilia filters out dust and other particles present in the air and
protects the nasal passage and other regions of the respiratory
tract.
2. Nasal Cavity
The nasal cavity is a hollow space within the nose and skull that
is lined with hairs and mucus membrane. The function of the
nasal cavity is to warm, moisturize, and filter air entering the
body before it reaches the lungs.
3. Pharynx
The pharynx, which is located behind the mouth and nose, is
also known as the throat. When not being used to transfer food,
the pharynx provides a place for air to warm up and acquire the
proper humidity levels before it enters the trachea and moves
into the lungs. Air passes through the nose or the mouth
directly into the pharynx. The mucous lining of the pharynx
filters dust particles and other contaminants out of the air. The
air then flows through the larynx at the top of the trachea and
continues on to the lungs.
4. Larynx
It manipulates pitch and volume. The larynx houses the vocal
folds (vocal cords), which are essential for phonation. The vocal
folds are situated just below where the tract of the pharynx
splits into the trachea and the esophagus.
5. Trachea

5th Grade Science

Trachea (Windpipe) The trachea (or windpipe) is a wide, hollow

tube that connects the larynx (or voice box) to the bronchi of
the lungs. The main function of the trachea is to provide a clear
airway for air to enter and exit the lungs.

6. Lungs
The main organ of the respiratory system is lungs. Lungs are
the site in body where oxygen is taken into and carbon dioxide
is expelled out. The red blood cells present in the blood picks
up the oxygen in the lungs and carry and distribute the oxygen
to all body cells that need it. The red blood cells donate the
oxygen to the cells and picks up the carbon dioxide produced
by the cells.

THE PROCESS OF RESPIRATION

This is how the respiratory system works: first
you breathe air in through your nose and
mouth, which wet and warm the air so it won t
irritate your lungs. Then the air travels through
your voice box, down your windpipe, and
though two bronchii (bronchial tubes) into your
lungs. Cilia, tiny mucous-covered hairs, in your
airways trap foreign particles and germs to
filter the air that you breathe. You then cough
or sneeze the particles out of your body.
The diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and other muscles help
your lungs expand and contract so you can inhale and exhale.
When you inhale, the air goes through the bronchii in your
lungs to blood vessels that connect to veins and arteries. These
veins and arteries carry the blood throughout your body. When
you exhale, the carbon dioxide goes out the same way, exiting
your body through your nose and mouth. If you cant breathe or
cant breathe well, your body wont receive enough oxygen to
keep it running, and it will also be poisoned by the carbon
dioxide that is building up in your blood with nowhere to go.

5th Grade Science

GENERALIZATION
- The respiratory system is the group of tissues and
organs in your body that allow you to breathe. This
system includes your airways, your lungs, and the
blood vessels and muscles attached to them that work
together so you can breathe.
- The parts of respiratory system are the nostrils, nasal
cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and the Lungs.
- This how Respiratory System works: first you breathe
air in through your nose and mouth, which wet and
warm the air so it wont irritate your lungs. Then the air
travels through your voice box, down your windpipe,
and though two bronchii (bronchial tubes) into your
lungs. Cilia, tiny mucous-covered hairs, in your airways
trap foreign particles and germs to filter the air that you
breathe. You then cough or sneeze the particles out of
your body.
- Respiratory system is one of the important body
systems that sustain our lives by supplying the oxygen
needed in the body and excessing carbon dioxide as
body waste.

ACTIVITY
1. Illustrate and explain the step-by-step process of
Respiration in Respiratory System in your paper.
2. Write an essay about how to take care and protect
our Respiratory System.

5th Grade Science

References:
Article: Your Respiratory System Print. (n.d.). Retrieved July 04,
2016, from http://discoverykids.com/articles/your-respiratorysystem/
Biology : Human Respiratory system - Worksheet / Test Paper.
(n.d.). Retrieved July 04, 2016, from
http://www.syvum.com/cgi/online/serve.cgi/squizzes/biology/res
pi.html?question_hide
Breathing System Facts for Kids. (2013). Retrieved July 04,
2016, from http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-humanbreathing-system/
Parts of the Respiratory System and their Function. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 04, 2016, from
http://www.tutorvista.com/biology/parts-of-the-respiratorysystem-and-their-function
Respiratory System. (n.d.). Retrieved July 04, 2016, from
http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/respiratory
Respiratory system. (n.d.). Retrieved July 04, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_system
Respiratory System - By KidsBiology.com. (n.d.). Retrieved July
04, 2016, from
http://www.kidsbiology.com/human_biology/respiratorysystem.php

5th Grade Science

E. (2010). The Respiratory System. Retrieved July 04, 2016,

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc1YtXc_84A
What is the function of the pharynx? (n.d.). Retrieved July 04,
2016, from https://www.reference.com/science/functionpharynx-20b978e7d006d340
Your Lungs & Respiratory System. (n.d.). Retrieved July 04,
2016, from http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/lungs.htm