Describe one way the human respiratory system degrades over our lifespans, and explain one environmental condition that could cause an unnatural degradation as someone ages, including why that environmental condition harms their respiratory system. Describe how both natural aging or environmental harm can make people more susceptible to disease, explaining the link between the damage and the disease. Think about all the processes and organ systems involved in singing. Describe how at least three organ systems work together to allow you to sing.

Discuss the path oxygen takes from the air to your respiratory system, down to how the oxygen is transmitted to the circulatory system. Without the respiratory system, why would the circulatory system be nearly useless? Similarly if your respiratory system was no longer able to effectively remove carbon dioxide from your blood, what chemical change would occur throughout the body?

Explain why a person who lived through a fire (and was pulled out of a burning building, unconscious, by a firefighter) might be more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Imagine a patient came into your medical practice. What are symptoms that, collectively, would indicate a possible respiratory problem? Describe at least three symptoms, and include at least one objective measure and one subjective measure.