Anatomy & Physiology - Respiratory system Flashcards
What is breathing frequency:
The number of breathes per minute
Resting value - 12 breaths per minute
What is tidal volume:
The volume of air breathed in or out per breath
Resting value - 500ml
(change during exercise - increases)
What is minute ventilation:
The volume of air inspired or expired per minute
Resting value - 6.0 L/Min
(change during exercise - increases)
What is the equation for minute ventilation:
Breathing frequency x tidal volume = minute ventilation
What is residual volume:
Volume of air that remains in the lungs after expiration
(Change during exercise - stays the same)
What is expiratory reserve:
Volume of air that can be forcibly expired (breath out) after a normal breath
(Change during exercise - Decreases)
What is inspiratory reserve:
Volume of air that can be forcibly inspired (breath in) after a normal breath
(Change during exercise - Decreases)
What are the 2 main areas of the respiratory center:
- The inspiratory center
- The expiratory center
What is the inspiratory center responsible for:
Responsible for the inspiration and expiration
What is the expiratory center responsible for:
Stimulates the expiratory muscle during exercise
What happens to the blood during exercise: (7 points)
There is an increase of carbon dioxide and blood acidity which is Detected by chemoreceptors in aortic arch & carotid artery then a Nerve impulse sent down the phrenic nerve To the respiratory muscle to contract faster. The increased rate of contraction of diaphragm, intercostal muscles, scalene and sternocleidomastoid. Which then increases the breathing rate
What happens to the stretch receptors during exercise:
- The stretch receptors prevent over inflation of the lungs by sending an impulse to the expiratory center and then down the intercostal nerve to the expiratory muscles so that expiration occurs
hormonal control mechanism - immediate stage + result:
- In the immediate stages of exercise, existing oxygen supplies in the blood and muscles are depleted faster than the resting rate of retrieval currently occurring in the lungs.
- This results in slight hypoxia (lack of oxygen) which is detected by chemoreceptors and the adrenal gland
hormonal control mechanism - Adrenaline:
- Adrenaline is secreted within the sympathetic nervous system causing transmissions to be sent faster with greater action potential
- Adrenaline can provide a jump start to our body and increase pulmonary ventilation in an attempt to counteract the slightly hypo state expertise created
Structure of the respiratory system (Top to bottom)
- Nasal cavity
- Mouth
- Larynx
- Lungs
- Right bronchi
- Diaphragm
- Pharynx
- Trachea
- Left bronchi
- Bronchioles
- Alveoli
Describe diffusion:
The movement of gas molecules from a area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
What is gaseous exchange:
The movement of oxygen from the air into the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood into the air
Describe the characteristics of alveoli:
1) 1 cell thick
2) Short diffusion pathway
3) Big surface area
4) Increased opportunity for gaseous exchange
5) extensive capillary network
Describe how the movement of the thoracic cavity alter air pressure:
Increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity (inspiration) will reduce the pressure of air in the lungs. Decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity (expiration) will increase the pressure of air in the lungs
What muscles are recruited during inspiration at REST + EXERCISING:
Diaphragm (contracts and pulls flat). External intercostals
What muscles are recruited during expiration at REST:
- No muscles contract as it is a passive process. The diaphragm and external intercostals just relax
What muscles are recruited during expiration when EXERCISING:
- Internal intercostals
- Abdominals
What is the relationship between minute ventilation and exercise intensity:
As exercise intensity increases, as does breathing rate to meet the demands for oxygen. Minute ventilation increases
What is the relationship between the size of the pressure gradient and rate of diffusion:
The bigger the gradient, the faster diffusion will be
What & How much of each gas do we inspire:
- Oxygen - 21%
- Carbon dioxide - 0.03%
- Nitrogen - 79%
How much air we expire during REST:
- Oxygen: 16.4%
- Carbon dioxide: 4%
- Nitrogen: 79.6%
How much air we expire during EXERCISE:
- Oxygen: 14%
- Carbon dioxide: 6%
- Nitrogen: 79%
What are the 3 factors involved in the regulation of pulmonary ventilation during exercise:
- Neural control
- Chemical control
- Hormonal control
Nervous system controlling breathing automatically through what systems:
- Sympathetic (increases breathing rate)
- Parasympathetic (lowers breathing rate)
Where is the respiratory control center located:
Medulla oblongata
What are the 3 main receptors:
- Chemoreceptors
- Baroreceptors
- Proprioceptors
What hormone control hormonal regulation:
- Adrenaline
Describe the role of Adrenaline:
A natural stimulant made by the adrenal gland of the kidney transported in the blood. Release of adrenaline triggers the sympathetic nervous system increases breathing rate and prepares the body to meet the demands of exercise
What poor lifestyle choice can negatively impact on the respiratory system (3):
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Poor diet
Describe the negative impact smoking has on the respiratory system:
- Increased breathlessness
- Damages cells lining
- Excess mucus
- Reduces efficiency of gaseous exchange
How is the body’s oxygen carrying capacity negatively affected by smoking:
- Carbon monoxide from cigarettes combines with haemoglobin in the red blood cells more readily than oxygen. Reduces oxygen carrying capacity of blood
Benefits of physical activity:
- Muscle hypertrophy
- Heightened metabolism
- Improved cardio-respiratory capabilities
Negatives of not participating physical activity:
- Risk of coronary heart disease and strokes
- Obesity and diabetes
Physiological affects of smoking:
- Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin rather than oxygen which reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. This increases breathlessness during exercise
- Nicotine constricts the bronchioles
- Damage to the cells lining the airways from cigarette smoke leading to a build up of excess mucus in the lungs (Smoker’s cough)
Cholesterol build up in coronary blood vessels - Impact on oxygen transport:
- Blood pressure remains high causing the opportunity for O2 diffusion in cardiac muscle to reduce. This means the heart cannot work as hard for long , supplying less oxygenated blood to the body (reduced cardiac output)
High blood pressure (stress & adrenaline) - Impact on oxygen transport:
- Sustained high blood pressure can cause prolonged stress to be placed on smaller blood vessels and heart. Damage could reduce diffusion capabilities. Faster blood has less time for diffusion to occur
Tar in alveoli - Impact on oxygen transportation:
- Creates a larger diffusion distance, over which the haemoglobin attraction and diffusion gradient of CO2 is less effective
Carbon monoxide inhalation - Impact on oxygen transportation:
- CO binds with haemoglobin forming carboxyhaemoglobin. With a far greater affinity for CO that O2, carboxyhaemoglobin will not drop CO and carry O2
Artheriosclerosis - Impact on oxygen transportation:
- Fatty deposits in blood vessels increases blood pressure ad diffusion distance
Arteriosclerosis - Impact on oxygen transportation:
- Rigid vessel walls are unable to dilate and increase the surface area of their walls in contact with the nearby living tissue. Blood pressure remains high and diffusion needs to continue over a greater distance compared to that of a dilated vessel
