BIOLOGY REVIEWER
Topic #1: Respiratory System
Respiratory System
● The organ system in our body that is responsible for breathing, it’s main function
is to Breathe in oxygen and Breathe out carbon dioxide.
Key Parts of the Respiratory System:
1. Nasal Cavity - Where air enters and is filtered through
the Cilia
Cilia - Small hair-like structures inside the Nasal Cavity
Whose job is to filter dust, dirt or other particles which prevents them
From entering the lungs.
2. Pharynx (Throat) - Serves as the pathway for air to travel from the Nasal
Cavity to the Trachea.
Tonsils - These are tissues in the Pharynx that can partially block air
and food from passing through. The tonsils can also help protect the body by
trapping pathogens through the airways.
3. Larynx (Voice Box) - Located just below the pharynx and contains the vocal
cords. It is also responsible for air to travel down into the trachea.
4. Trachea (Windpipe) - A tube which air flows through until it reaches the
bronchi of the lungs.
5. Bronchi - Two large tubes that connect the Trachea to the lungs allowing air
to flow in and out.
6. Lungs - The primary/main organ of the respiratory system and also responsible
for gas exchange. It is also the organ responsible for oxygenating
deoxygenated blood and turning it into oxygenated blood.
Bronchioles - Located from the lungs, they branch out from the bronchi
and lead to the alveoli.
Alveoli (Air Sacs) - Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of
gasses occur. These are found at the end of the bronchioles.
7. Diaphragm - A dome-like muscle that helps in breathing by contracting and
relaxing.
- When the diaphragm contracts it flattens and moves downwards
which draws air into the lungs (Inhalation). When the diaphragm relaxes it moves
upward which pushes air out the lungs (exhalation).
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
● Diseases that affect the respiratory system, which can lead to difficulty in
difficulty in breathing , chest pains , etc.
1. Asthma - A condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
Causes: Genetics, Allergies , smoking .
Symptoms: Coughing, Wheezing, Shortness of Breath,
Treatment: Nebulizers, Asthma Inhalers
2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - A group of lung diseases ,
including chronic bronchitis and emphysema that block airflow
Causes: Smoking , Emphysema, Bronchitis
Symptoms: Chest Tightness, Wheezing,
Treatment: Lung therapy, Quit smoking
3. Chronic Bronchitis - A long term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which
could lead to increased mucus production and persistent cough.
Causes: Air Pollution, Smoking , smoke from burning coal
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Chest tightness
Treatment: Bronchodilators, surgical procedures
4. Emphysema - A lung condition in which the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs are
damaged which can lead to difficulty breathing
Causes: Chemical Fumes, Dust, air pollution
Symptoms: Frequent Coughing, Wheezing, Shortness of breath
Treatment: Lung Therapy, Surgical Procedures
5. Lung Cancer - Small bumps in the lungs which can cause cancer, this is
usually due to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs which can
cause tumors. Considered one of the most deadly forms of cancer worldwide.
Causes: Smoking, Secondhand Smoke , Genetics
Symptoms: Coughing up blood, Chest pain, Wheezing
Treatment: Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy
6. Tuberculosis (TB) - mycobacterium targets the lungs and damages the other
parts of the body.
Causes: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Symptoms: Weight loss, Cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks, fever
Treatment: Medication
7. Pneumonia - An infection that inflames the alveoli (air sacs) in one or both
lungs which causes them to fill in fluid making it difficult to breathe.
Causes: Bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae), Fungi, Viruses
Symptoms: Fatigue, Nausea, Vomiting
Treatment: Antibiotics (If bacterial), antifungal medications (if fungal)
8. Coronavirus (Covid-19) - A virus caused by SARS-CoV-2 which primarily
affects the respiratory system.
Causes: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2)
Symptoms: Dry cough, Fever, loss of taste and smell
Treatment: Rest and Hydration, Social Distancing, Vaccines
Topic #2: Circulatory System
Circulatory System
● The system which transports blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients to
the cells inside the body and to carry deoxygenated blood and carbon
dioxide back to the lungs.
Key Parts of the Respiratory System:
1. Heart - To pump blood and oxygen
throughout the body and deliver the waste
products (carbon dioxide) back to the lungs to
be removed.
- The heart consists of 4 chambers each having
there own function
Parts of the Heart:
Atria (Upper Chambers)
1. Right Atrium - Receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and
inferior vena cava.
2. Left Atrium - Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins
Ventricles (Lower Chambers)
1. Right Ventricle - Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the
pulmonary artery for oxygenation in the lungs.
2. Left Ventricle - Pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body by the use of the
aorta
Valves of the Heart
Atrioventricular Valves:
1. Tricuspid valve - Located between the right atrium and the right ventricle, it
prevents backflow into the atrium
2. Mitral Valve - Located between the left atrium and the left ventricle, it prevents
backflow into the atrium
Semilunar Valves:
1. Pulmonary Valve - Allows deoxygenated blood to be pumped from the right
ventricle into the pulmonary artery, which carries blood to the lungs for
oxygenation.
2. Aortic Valve - This valve opens when the left ventricle contracts, allowing
oxygenated blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta, which distributes
blood to the rest of the body.
Major Blood Vessels:
● Superior Vena Cava - Collects deoxygenated blood from the upper part of the
body and delivers it to the right atrium.
● Inferior Vena Cava - Collects deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body
and delivers it to the right atrium.
● Pulmonary Arteries - Carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the
lungs.
● Pulmonary Veins - Bring oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium
● Aorta - Distributes oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.
Steps on how the blood flows through the Heart:
1. Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from superior and inferior vena cava.
2. Deoxygenated blood in the right atrium flows through the tricuspid valve into the
right ventricle.
3. Contraction of right ventricle forces the pulmonary semilunar valve to open.
4. Deoxygenated blood flows through pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery.
5. Deoxygenated blood is distributed by right and left pulmonary arteries to the
lungs where it unloads CO₂and loads O2.
6. Oxygenated blood from the lungs passes through pulmonary veins then enters
the left atrium.
7. Oxygenated blood from the left atrium flows through mitral valve into left ventricle
8. Contraction of left ventricle (simultaneous with right ventricle) forces aortic
semilunar valve open.
9. Oxygenated blood flows through the aortic valve into the aorta.
10. Oxygenated blood in the aorta is distributed to every organ in the body, where it
unloads oxygen and loads CO2.
11. Blood returns to the heart from superior and inferior vena, then the cycle is
repeated.
CIRCULATORY DISEASES
● Diseases which affect the circulatory system, which can lead to negative effects
on the circulatory system and the body.
1. Atherosclerosis - Build up of plaque in the arteries which causes them to
narrow and harden which can reduce blood flow.
Causes: High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol
Symptoms: Chest pains, Transient Ischemic Attack
Treatment: Medication, Surgical Procedures
2. Heart Attack - Blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, often by a blood clot in
the coronary artery.
Causes: Blocked Arteries (usually in the coronary artery)
Symptoms: Chest pains, Nausea, Shortness of breath
Treatment: