Step 1: Begin by understanding the anatomy of the mammalian respiratory system. Air enters the body through the nasal cavity, which is responsible for filtering, warming, and humidifying the air.
Step 2: After passing through the nasal cavity, air moves into the pharynx, a shared pathway for both the respiratory and digestive systems.
Step 3: From the pharynx, air flows into the larynx, which houses the vocal cords and acts as a passageway to the lower respiratory tract.
Step 4: The air then travels down the trachea, a tube reinforced with cartilage rings to prevent collapse, ensuring a clear airway.
Step 5: The trachea branches into bronchi, which further divide into smaller bronchioles, eventually leading to the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs between the air and the bloodstream.