How does the respiratory system function?

The respiratory system is responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide from the body. It consists of the nose, mouth, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. When we breathe, air enters through the nose or mouth and travels down the trachea. The trachea branches off into two bronchi, one leading to each lung. Inside the lungs, the bronchi divide into smaller and smaller tubes called bronchioles, which end in tiny air sacs called alveoli.

As air travels through the respiratory system, it is filtered, warmed, and moistened by the nose and mouth. The alveoli are where gas exchange takes place: oxygen from the air is absorbed into the blood vessels surrounding the alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the blood is released into the alveoli to be exhaled out of the body.

The respiratory system also helps regulate the body's pH balance by controlling the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. When we breathe too fast, we expel too much carbon dioxide, which can make the blood too alkaline. On the other hand, breathing too slowly can cause carbon dioxide to build up, making the blood too acidic.