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Biology Module 3 - Own flashcards > 7.2.1 - The mammalian gaseous exchange system (Part 1 - structure) > Flashcards

7.2.1 - The mammalian gaseous exchange system (Part 1 - structure) Flashcards

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1
Q

Where does gas exchange take place in the human body?

A

Gas exchange takes place in the human thorax.

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2
Q

What is the thorax?

A

The thorax is a collection of tissues and organs located in the chest cavity.

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3
Q

What organs and tissues are found within the thorax?

A

The organs and tissues found within the thorax include:
1. Trachea
2. Lungs
3. Bronchi
4. Bronchioles
5. Alveoli
6. Capillary network

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4
Q

What are the main structures involved in gas exchange?

A

The main structures involved in gas exchange are the alveoli and the capillary network.

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5
Q

What are the different tissue types present in the gas exchange system?

A
  1. Ciliated epithelial cells
  2. Goblet cells
  3. Mucus glands
  4. Cartilage
  5. Smooth muscle
  6. Elastic fibers
  7. Squamous epithelial tissue
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6
Q

What is the structure of cartilage?

A

Cartilage is a strong and flexible tissue found in various parts of the body.

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7
Q

Where is cartilage found in the gas exchange system?

A

Cartilage is found in rings along the trachea, called tracheal rings.

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8
Q

What is the function of the tracheal rings of cartilage?

A

The tracheal rings support the trachea, keeping it open while allowing it to move and flex during breathing.

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9
Q

What is ciliated epithelium?

A

Ciliated epithelium is a specialized tissue with cells that have tiny projections called cilia.

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10
Q

Where is ciliated epithelium found in the gas exchange system?

A

Ciliated epithelium lines the trachea and bronchi.

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11
Q

What is the role of the cilia in ciliated epithelium?

A

Cilia sweep mucus, dust, bacteria, and other microorganisms upwards and away from the lungs, toward the mouth, where they are swallowed and digested by stomach acid.

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12
Q

What are goblet cells?

A

Goblet cells are mucus-producing cells found in the ciliated epithelium of the trachea and bronchi.

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13
Q

What do goblet cells secrete?

A

Goblet cells secrete viscous mucus that traps dust, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

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14
Q

How does mucus produced by goblet cells protect the lungs?

A

The mucus traps dust, bacteria, and other microorganisms, preventing them from reaching the lungs. The mucus is then swept away by cilia and swallowed, where it is destroyed by stomach acid.

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15
Q

What is squamous epithelium?

A

Squamous epithelium is a type of epithelial tissue composed of thin, flat cells.

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16
Q

Where is squamous epithelium found in the gas exchange system?

A

Squamous epithelium lines the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.

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17
Q

Why is squamous epithelium important for gas exchange?

A

Its thinness provides a short diffusion pathway for gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide), enabling efficient gas exchange.

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18
Q

What is smooth muscle?

A

Smooth muscle is a type of muscle that is not under conscious control.

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19
Q

Where is smooth muscle found in the gas exchange system?

A

Smooth muscle is found in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles.

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20
Q

What is the function of smooth muscle in the gas exchange system?

A

Smooth muscle regulates airflow by constricting (reducing airflow) or dilating (increasing airflow) the airways, depending on the body’s needs.

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21
Q

What are elastic fibers?

A

Elastic fibers are proteins that provide elasticity and allow tissues to stretch and recoil.

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22
Q

Where are elastic fibers found in the gas exchange system?

A

Elastic fibers are found in the alveolar walls, as well as throughout lung tissues.

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23
Q

What is the role of elastic fibers in the lungs?

A

Elastic fibers allow the lungs to stretch as they fill with air and recoil during expiration, making the process of exhalation passive.

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24
Q

What is the role of capillaries in the gas exchange system?

A

Capillaries surround the alveoli and are responsible for gas exchange. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the capillaries, and carbon dioxide diffuses out of the capillaries into the alveoli.

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25
Q

What is the diameter of capillaries, and why is it important?

A

Capillaries have a diameter of about 3-4 micrometers, which is just wide enough for one red blood cell to pass at a time. This ensures that there is enough time for efficient gas exchange.

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26
Q

What are mucus glands?

A

Mucus glands are specialized cells that secrete mucus.

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27
Q

What is the role of mucus glands in the gas exchange system?

A

Mucus glands work with goblet cells to produce mucus in the trachea and bronchi, which traps dust, bacteria, and other particles, preventing them from entering the lungs.

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28
Q

What conflict do animals living on land face?

A

Animals that live on land face a continual conflict between the need for gaseous exchange and the need for water.

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29
Q

Why is it difficult for animals on land to balance gaseous exchange and water retention?

A

Gaseous exchange surfaces are moist, which allows oxygen to dissolve in water before diffusing into the body. However, the moisture required for gas exchange also increases the risk of water evaporation.

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30
Q

How do mammals minimize water loss while exchanging gases?

A

Mammals have evolved complex systems that allow them to exchange gases efficiently while minimizing the amount of water lost from the body.

31
Q

Which system is used as an example of a specialized gaseous exchange system in mammals?

A

The human gaseous exchange system is used as an example of specialized systems common to all mammals.

32
Q

Why do mammals need a large amount of oxygen?

A

Mammals have a high metabolic rate because they are active and maintain their body temperature independently of the environment. This requires a large amount of oxygen for cellular respiration.

33
Q

What is the role of oxygen in mammals?

A

Oxygen is required for cellular respiration, which provides energy for the body’s activities.

34
Q

What is the main waste product produced by cellular respiration in mammals?

A

The main waste product of cellular respiration is carbon dioxide.

35
Q

How do mammals remove carbon dioxide from their bodies?

A

Carbon dioxide is removed from the body through the lungs, where it is exchanged for oxygen.

36
Q

Why do mammals have a large volume of cells?

A

Mammals are relatively large organisms with a high metabolic rate, so they have a large volume of cells that require a constant supply of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide.

37
Q

Where does the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) take place in mammals?

A

The exchange of gases takes place in the lungs.

38
Q

What are the key features of the nasal cavity?

A
  1. Large surface area with a good blood supply to warm the air.
  2. Hairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria.
  3. Moist surfaces that increase the humidity of incoming air.
39
Q

What is the function of the large surface area and good blood supply in the nasal cavity?

A

The large surface area and blood supply warm the air to body temperature.

40
Q

How does the nasal cavity protect the lungs?

A

The hairy lining secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria, preventing them from reaching the delicate lung tissue and causing irritation or infection.

41
Q

How does the nasal cavity affect the humidity of the air?

A

The moist surfaces in the nasal cavity increase the humidity of the incoming air, reducing evaporation from the exchange surfaces in the lungs.

42
Q

What is the function of the trachea?

A

The trachea is the main airway that carries clean, warm, moist air from the nose to the chest, leading to the lungs.

43
Q

What type of cartilage supports the trachea?

A

The trachea is supported by C-shaped rings of strong, flexible cartilage.

44
Q

Why are the cartilage rings in the trachea C-shaped?

A

The C-shape prevents the trachea from collapsing and allows the esophagus to expand when food passes down it.

45
Q

What type of tissue lines the trachea?

A

The trachea is lined with ciliated epithelium, with goblet cells scattered throughout.

46
Q

What is the role of goblet cells in the trachea?

A

Goblet cells secrete mucus that traps dust, bacteria, and microorganisms, preventing them from reaching the lungs. The mucus is swept away by cilia and swallowed.

47
Q

What happens to the trachea in the chest cavity?

A

The trachea divides into the left bronchus leading to the left lung and the right bronchus leading to the right lung.

48
Q

What is the structure of the bronchi?

A

The bronchi have similar structure to the trachea but with thinner walls and a smaller diameter. They are supported by cartilage, which can form rings or blocks.

49
Q

How does the structure of the bronchi differ from the trachea?

A

The bronchi are smaller and have thinner walls than the trachea, and their cartilage forms rings or blocks, rather than C-shapes.

50
Q

What effect does cigarette smoke have on the cilia in the trachea and bronchi?

A

Cigarette smoke stops the cilia from beating, impairing the ability to sweep mucus, dust, and bacteria upwards. This increases the risk of lung infections.

51
Q

What is the role of elastic fibers in the trachea and bronchi?

A

Elastic fibers help maintain the structure of the trachea and bronchi, allowing them to stretch and recoil during breathing.

52
Q

What are bronchioles?

A

Bronchioles are smaller airways that form when the bronchi divide, leading into the alveoli.

53
Q

What is the structure of the bronchioles?

A

Bronchioles have no cartilage rings and are lined with smooth muscle and ciliated epithelium, but lack goblet cells.

54
Q

What is the role of smooth muscle in the bronchioles?

A

Smooth muscle allows the bronchioles to constrict (reduce airflow) or dilate (increase airflow), controlling the amount of air reaching the lungs.

55
Q

How does the size of the bronchioles change as they approach the alveoli?

A

The bronchioles get smaller and thinner as they approach the alveoli, with the smallest bronchioles having only elastic fibers and no smooth muscle.

56
Q

What are alveoli?

A

Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs that are the main sites of gas exchange.

57
Q

What is the diameter of an alveolus?

A

An alveolus has a diameter of around 200 to 300 micrometers.

58
Q

What is the function of elastic fibers in the alveoli?

A

Elastic fibers allow the alveoli to stretch as they fill with air and recoil to expel air, aiding in the elastic recoil of the lungs during exhalation.

59
Q

How does the elastic recoil of the alveoli aid in exhalation?

A

Elastic recoil allows the alveoli to return to their resting size after being stretched during inhalation, helping to push air out during exhalation (a passive process).

60
Q

What are the main adaptations of alveoli for gas exchange?

A
  1. Large surface area (300-500 million alveoli per adult lung).
  2. Thin layers (only one epithelial cell thick).
  3. Good blood supply (280 million capillaries).
  4. Good ventilation (breathing moves air in and out).
61
Q

Why do alveolar walls consist of one layer of squamous epithelial cells (thin layers)?

A

The one layer of squamous epithelial cells allows rapid diffusion of gases between the air in the alveoli and the blood in the capillaries.

62
Q

Why is a large surface area important for alveoli?

A

A large surface area (50-75 m² in both lungs) allows for a large amount of oxygen to diffuse into the blood, ensuring enough oxygen for cellular respiration.

63
Q

Why are the alveolar walls partially permeable?

A

The walls are partially permeable so that only certain gases, like oxygen and carbon dioxide, can move across the wall, facilitating efficient gas exchange.

64
Q

How does the thin layer of the alveoli and capillaries aid gas exchange?

A

The thin layers reduce the diffusion distance for gases, making gas exchange more efficient.

65
Q

Why is a good blood supply important for alveolar gas exchange?

A

The constant flow of blood through the capillaries maintains a steep concentration gradient for both oxygen and carbon dioxide, facilitating efficient gas exchange.

66
Q

How many lungs do humans have?

A

Humans have two lungs, both of which are essential for gas exchange.

67
Q

What is the role of the capillary network around the alveoli?

A

The capillary network surrounds the alveoli and facilitates gas exchange by allowing oxygen to diffuse from the alveoli into the capillaries and carbon dioxide to diffuse out of the capillaries into the alveoli.

68
Q

What happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide during gas exchange in the lungs?

A

Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the capillaries, while carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction to be exhaled.

69
Q

What are the three pulmonary blood vessels found in the lungs?

A
  1. The pulmonary artery
  2. The pulmonary vein
  3. The pulmonary capillaries
70
Q

What is the role of the pulmonary artery?

A

This delivers deoxygenated blood from heart to pulmonary capillaries.

71
Q

What is the role of the pulmonary vein?

A

This delivers oxygenated blood from capillaries to heart.

72
Q

What is the role of the pulmonary capillaries?

A

These are the site of gas exchange between blood and alveoli.

73
Q

Describe the adaptations of the pulmonary capillaries for gas exchange.

A
  1. Thin walls (one endothelial cell thick) - This maintains a short diffusion distance.
  2. Red blood cells pressed against capillary walls - This reduces diffusion distance.
  3. Large surface area - This increases diffusion speed.
  4. Movement of blood - This maintains steep diffusion gradient.
  5. Slow blood movement - This allows more time for diffusion.

Biology Module 3 - Own flashcards (6 decks)

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