Respiratory System Lab

The respiratory system consists of the upper respiratory tract (the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi) and the lower respiratory tract (the lungs). As you learn about the various diseases that affect the respiratory system, it is important for you to understand the structures that can be affected by disease. Complete this lab to become familiar with a healthy system and to identify diseases related to both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

Provide brief answers to the following questions to help you get acquainted with the basic functions of a healthy respiratory system. Refer to Ch. 21 in Microbiology: Principles and Explorations.

1.     How do body reflexes like coughing and sneezing help prevent or fight infection?

2.     What role do cilia play in maintaining a healthy respiratory system?  

3.     Compare normal microflora of the upper respiratory tract with normal microflora of the lower respiratory tract.

Visit Chapter 21 of Microbiology: Principles and Explorations in WileyPlusto view an in-depth presentation of a healthy respiratory system by completing the following steps:

·      Select the Chapter 21 WileyPlus reading link located on your student Web page.

·      Locate the heading Chapter Review.

·      Select the Anatomy Overview: The Respiratory System link.

·      Complete this lab as you explore the Respiratory System multimedia piece.

Overview

Roll over each component of the Conducting and Respiratory portions of the Respiratory System multimedia piece. Take note of how the preserved trachea and lung photograph on the left compares to the illustrated diagram on the right.

Upper Respiratory System (Conducting Portion: Nasal Cavity)

Roll over and click either the nasal cavity or pharynx components of the Conductingportion of the Respiratory Systemmultimedia piece to navigate to the Nasal Cavity. Refer to Nasal Cavitycomponent of the multimedia piece and Ch. 21, Figure 21.8 in Microbiology: Principles and Explorations to label the structures in the following diagram of a healthy upper respiratory system.

Lower Respiratory System (Respiratory Portion: Lungs)

Click the icon in the upper left corner of the Nasal Cavity diagram to return to the main menu in the Respiratory Systemmultimedia piece. Click the lungs component of the Respiratory Portionto navigate to the Lungdiagram. Refer to Lungdiagram of the multimedia piece and Ch. 21, Figure 21.1 in Microbiology: Principles and Explorations to label the structures in the following diagrams of a healthy lower respiratory system. Please note: The first diagram that follows is found only in Ch. 21, Figure 21.1, and not in the Lung component of the multimedia piece.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Access the Public Diseases & Conditions A-Z Index at Scroll down to the section titled Top Requested Diseases & Conditions. Review the list of diseases about that the general public is most frequently requesting information about. You will notice some familiar diseases from your assigned readings. Click on at least one microbe-related respiratory system disease and complete the following activity.

Read the information on the CDC site and provide a brief, 1-2 paragraph summary of the respiratory illness. Include in your description:

·         The respiratory illness

·         The microbe causing the illness

·         Which structures of the respiratory system are affected—Use one or more structures included in Part Two.

·         Who is at risk

·         How serious the disease is

[Type your paragraph in the space below]

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