1. What do you think the alveoli and a flatworm have in common?

2. Messenger and Scribe
Organise yourselves into groups of four. Nominate one person from your group to be messenger…

4. Structure and Function of the Respiratory System
Will go through the structure and it’s function in turn Will provide an analogy for each At the end – each group will come up with their own analogies Will make and label own diagram and summary table

5. Trachea Allows passage of air C shaped cartilage rings for strength
Analogy:
The trachea is like the eurotunnel – allows passage through and has reinforced rings along length to prevent collapse

6. Bronchus and Bronchioles
Trachea branches into two bronchus (one to each lung)
Bronchus further branch into
bronchioles
Cartilage also present but not as regular as trachea
Analogy
Bronchi and Bronchioles are like A and B roads coming from a motorway

7. Alveoli Tiny sacs found in lungs
Thin barrier – one cell, squamous epithelium
Increase surface area
Alveoli
Analogy
Alveoli are like adding lots of cubicles to an office to increase the amount of people who can work there

8. Blood Capillaries Network of capillaries covers the alveoli
Allows there to be constant supply of blood
Means continual concentration gradient *
Thin barrier – one cell
Analogy
Blood capillaries supplying blood to the alveoli are like having lots of service stations on a motorway to make sure
there is a constant supply of available fuel

9. Ribs and intercostal muscles
Ribs protect lung from damage
Intercostal muscles found between ribs
Allow movement in breathing
Analogy
The rib cage is like a motorcycle roll bar providing protection
The intercostal muscles are like a balloon allowing for inflation

10. Diaphragm The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle found below the lung
Separates thorax from abdomen
Provides movement
Analogy
The diaphragm is like bellows ‐ providing movement to allow intake of air

11. In your teams come up with your own analogies for the components of the respiratory system