11.1/11.2 Chapter Questions - The Function of Respiration

Question 1

What gasses are exchanged during the process of respiration?

Answer 1

• Inhaled: Oxygen (O2)
• Exhaled: Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Question 2

What are the requirements for functional respiratory surfaces?

Answer 2

• moisture: diffusion to occur, warmth
• large surface: to meet metabolic needs
• thin: diffusion

Question 3

Predict what would happen if there was a genetic mutation that caused the gills of fish to be composed of very thick tissue instead of very thin tissue.

Answer 3

• Decreased oxygen diffusion
• Impaired respiration

Question 4

What respiratory challenge do land animals face that aquatic animals do not?

Answer 4

Dehydration: Land animals need to prevent excessive water loss through respiration due to the presence of dry air and the need to conserve body fluids.

Question 5

Explain why inspiration is considered the active phase of ventilation and expiration the passive phase.

Answer 5

moisture: we compensate by structures, like nasal passages give time to increase moisture before air gets to the lungs

Question 6

What two structures control air pressure inside the lungs?

Answer 6

• Diaphragm: A dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of the lungs that contracts and relaxes to control the volume of the thoracic cavity, creating changes in air pressure.
• Intercostal Muscles: Muscles located between the ribs that contract and relax, assisting in changes to the volume of the thoracic cavity and influencing air pressure inside the lungs.

Question 7

Breathing or pulmonary ventilation occurs in two stages: inhalation and exhalation. Describe the steps, in order, that occur during inhalation.

Answer 7

• Diaphragm contracts and moves downward.
• Intercostal muscles between the ribs contract, lifting the ribcage upward and outward.
• Thoracic cavity volume increases.
• Lungs expand.
• Air pressure in the lungs decreases.
• Air flows into the lungs from the atmosphere.

Question 8

Summarize the functions of the respiratory system.

Answer 8

• Gas Exchange
• Oxygen Supply
• Carbon Dioxide Removal
• pH Regulation
• Vocalization
• Sense of Smell

Question 9

In a medical emergency, a physician may insert a tube down a person’s trachea to help him or her breathe. Infer why the patient would be unable to talk while they have a tube in their trachea.

Answer 9

• The tube inserted into the trachea bypasses the vocal cords.
• The vocal cords are essential for producing sound and enabling speech.
• With the tube in the trachea, air bypasses the vocal cords, preventing their vibration.
• Without vocal cord vibration, the patient is unable to produce normal speech.
• Communication may need to be facilitated through alternative methods, such as writing or gesturing.

Question 10

What are the functions of the nasal passages? Be sure to discuss the mucus an the cilia.

Answer 10

the nasal passages, mucus, and cilia work together to filter, humidify, and clear the inhaled air, protecting the respiratory system and promoting efficient breathing.

Question 11

How would the air entering your lungs be different if you breathed through your mouth instead of your nose while walking on a cold, dry winter day?

Answer 11

• Colder: The air would be colder as it bypasses the nasal passages, which normally warm the air before it reaches the lungs.
• Drier: The air would be drier as the nasal passages typically moisturize and humidify the inhaled air.
• Less filtered: The mouth lacks the fine hairs and mucus present in the nasal passages that help filter and trap particles, potentially allowing more particles to enter the lungs.
• Faster airflow: Breathing through the mouth may result in a faster airflow, which can potentially increase the drying effect on the airways.

Question 12

Describe how the structure of the pleural membrane allows the lungs to contract and relax smoothly during inspiration and expiration.

Answer 12

• The pleural membrane is a double-layered membrane that surrounds each lung.
• allows lubrication for moving parts of the lungs, make sure that they are not rubbing together creating scar tissue

Question 13

Describe all the ways that oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported in the blood.

Answer 13

• Oxygen is mainly transported bound to hemoglobin and partially dissolved in plasma.
• Carbon dioxide is transported as bicarbonate ions, dissolved in plasma, and to a lesser extent, bound to hemoglobin.

Question 14

A person with a cold secretes more mucus than usual. The person begins taking cold-relief medications, which inhibit the production of mucus. What side effects from the medication might the person experience?

Answer 14

• Dry throat or mouth
• Thicker nasal congestion
• Difficulty clearing mucus from the respiratory tract
• Potential discomfort or irritation in the respiratory system
• Reduced ability to trap and expel pathogens from the respiratory system