The Importance Of A

Healthy Respiratory
System
Daniel Chin Zhao Huan (3N)

The importance of our respiratory system and what is harming the

system.

Index
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Topic
Introduction
The Importance of the Respiration System
Effect of Harmful Substances
Diseases of the Respiratory System
Improving the Quality of Air
Reflection

Pages
1
2
3-5
6-7
8
9

Introduction
The respiratory system is an important system of the body. It
consists of the nostrils, nasal cavity, throat, trachea, bronchus,
bronchioles, alveoli, diaphragm, ribcage, intercostal muscles and
the lungs. The respiratory system plays a role in the function of
the brain and other systems.
Nowadays, air pollution is causing diseases that affect the
respiratory system. This scrapbook will tell you what, how and
why.

The Importance of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system is vital to the whole functioning of the
body. This system is essential in bringing in the oxygen required
by every aspect of the body, from oxygen the cells need to
function and replace cells that have died to the oxygen the
muscles need. It also removes harmful gases such as carbon
dioxide from the body.
The oxygen inhaled goes through the trachea, bronchus and
bronchioles before entering the alveolus. There, the oxygen
diffuses into the blood capillary. It flows into the heart where it is
pumped to other parts of the body. It then diffuses into other body
tissues.
Without the respiratory system, it is impossible. Thats how
important the respiratory system is. Therefore, we have to keep it
healthy.

Effects of Harmful Substances

The world today is full of pollutants, polluting the air. And it is
harmful to our respiratory system. Below are the substances and
their sources.
Substances
Tar1
Nicotine1
Carbon
monoxide
Sulphur
dioxide
Hydrocarbons1
Nitrogen oxide
Haze
Methane
Cement dust
Coal dust
Asbestos dust1
1

Sources
Cigarettes and tobacco
Cigarettes, tobacco and electronic cigarettes
(a.k.a. vapers)
Cigarettes, tobacco and smoke from vehicles
Smoke from vehicles, industrial areas and
erupted volcanoes
Smoke from vehicles and industrial areas
Smoke from vehicles and industrial areas
Smoke from vehicles, industrial areas and open
burning
Smoke from open burning and biomass
Cement
Coal
Asbestos

denotes carcinogenic substances.

And these explain how it affects the respiratory system.

1. Nicotine
a. Causes addiction to smoking
b. Is a carcinogen
c. Causes bronchitis and cancer

2. Tar

a. Is a carcinogen
b. Damages the alveolus
c. Blackens the lungs and reduce its efficiency
3. Carbon monoxide
a. Reduces the oxygen amount in the blood
b. Fatal as death may ensue
4. Sulphur dioxide
a. Acidic
b. Damages lung tissues

5. Hydrocarbons
a. Is a carcinogen
b. Cause cancer
6. Nitrogen oxide
a. Interacts with hydrocarbons to form haze
b. Can cause Vitamin B12 deficiency
c. Has an asphyxiation risk (severe shortage of oxygen)
7. Haze
a. A combination of nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons
b. Causes breathing difficulties, worsens asthma and
pneumonia
c. Damages lungs
8. Methane
a. An asphyxiant (something that causes asphyxia)
b. Causes breathing difficulties
9. Cement dust
a. Blocks the nose and the mouth, restricting flow of air
b. Causes breathing difficulties and bronchitis

10.

Coal dust
a. Blocks the nose and the mouth, restricting flow of air
b. Causes breathing difficulties and bronchitis

11.

Asbestos dust
Blocks the nose and the mouth, restricting flow of air
Causes breathing difficulties and bronchitis
Is a carcinogen
Causes lung cancer

a.
b.
c.
d.

Volcano
eruption

Haze

A cigarette

Smoke from exhaust

Smoke from
factories

Diseases of the Respiratory System

1. Lung cancer
Causes: Carcinogens (e.g. tar, hydrocarbons, nicotine and
asbestos dust)
Symptoms: Coughing, difficulty swallowing, wheezing,
shortness of breath, weakness and fever
Cure: Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted
therapy and palliative care
2. Asthma
Causes: Smoke
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, breathing difficulties
Cure: None, but there are medications for asthma
3. Emphysema
Causes: Smoking
Symptoms: Cough and shortness of breath
Cure: None, but symptoms are treatable through exercise,
bronchodilators, corticosteroids and antibiotics
4. Bronchitis
Cause: Tobacco smoke and dust
Symptoms: Coughing up mucus, wheezing, shortness of
breath, and chest discomfort.
Cure: Rest, paracetamol (panadol), rehab and vaccination
5. Pneumonia
Cause: Tobacco smoke, bacteria, viruses and parasites
Symptoms: Cough, chest pain, fever and breathing
difficulties
Cure: Antibiotics, rest, simple analgesics and fluids
6. Asphyxia
Cause: Inhalation of carbon monoxide and methane
Symptoms: Abnormal breathing
Cure: Unknown

Lung cancer

Asthma

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

Emphyse

Improving the Quality of Air

Carpool
Avoid open burning
Tighten law enforcement
Install catalytic converters onto vehicles
Stop smoking
Install filters in chimneys to prevent the release of harmful
gases
Walk to nearby destination
Chop down trees controllably
Save electricity generating electricity can cause air
pollution
Use fans instead of air-conditioning
Use non-aerosol products
Try to take public transport

A catalytic

A factory chimney

Reflection
When I did this scrapbook, I realized that respiratory-related
diseases are caused by human hands themselves. I also know the
importance of the respiratory system in us. From today onwards, I
will do my part in preventing air pollution so that cases of
respiratory-related diseases will be reduced.
If our respiration system is damaged, irreparable damage may
be caused and it will not work as efficient as usual, causing the
whole body to fail because of the shortage of oxygen.
For the sake of others and myself, I will do my part to reduce
respiratory-related diseases to the minimum number.
For the reasons stated above, I promise that I will

not smoke
not practice open burning
appreciate nature
try to take public transport more often
save electricity
recycle paper whenever possible
walk more to near destinations
use fans when it isnt hot
try to carpool with others
reduce usage of aerosol

Thats all from me for now,

Thank you.

Sources:

Success Science Forms 1, 2 & 3 by Oxford Fajar

Google Images
Scribd
www.hcdoes.org
www.mayoclinic.org
www.wisegeekhealth.org
Science Textbook Form 3 by Masa Enterprise