1.1 The Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the function of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

Supply oxygen to the tissues and remove CO2 produced by metabolism

Question 2

How is a large surface area obtained for gas exchange?

Answer 2

Lots of alveoli in the lungs

Question 3

What is tidal volume?

Answer 3

The volume of air breathed in and out with each breath

Question 4

What is the inspiratory reserve volume?

Answer 4

Extra volume that can be breathed in over that at rest

Question 5

What is the expiratory reserve volume?

Answer 5

Extra volume that can be breathed out over that at rest

Question 6

What is a partial pressure?

Answer 6

Each molecule of gas behaves independently and gives off a partial pressure.
Partial pressure is proportional to the % volume of the gad

Question 7

What happens in the lungs during inspiration?

Answer 7

Lungs expand so volume of the lung increases. This causes the pressure to fall below that of atmospheric pressure so air moves into the lungs.

Question 8

What happens in the lungs during expiration?

Answer 8

Lung volume decreases which increases the pressure above atmospheric pressure so air moves out of the lungs.

Question 9

What is saturated vapour pressure (SVP)?

Answer 9

Water molecules entering the gas phase exert a vapour pressure.