B2 Respiratory System

Question 1

How is trachea adapted for it’s function?

Answer 1

Has rings of cartilage for support so it does not collapse

Question 2

List the order of the structures air passes through in the respiratory system.

Answer 2

Trachea to the bronchi to the bronchioles to the alveoli

Question 3

What type of tissue is the diaphragm?

Answer 3

Muscle

Question 4

What type of cells line the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles?

Answer 4

Ciliated epithelial and goblet cells

Question 5

What cells make up the alveoli?

Answer 5

Squamous epithelial cells

Question 6

Why do the surface of alveoli have to be moist?

Answer 6

So oxygen can dissolve in the water before it can diffuse into the blood capillaries.

Question 7

What 2 things maintain the steep concentration gradients between blood and alveoli?

Answer 7

1. Ventilation
2. blood flow through capillaries.

Question 8

What gives a large surface area to alveoli?

Answer 8

Many small alveoli

Question 9

What happens during inspiration? (4marks)

Answer 9

o external intercostal muscles contract to raise rib cage up and out
o diaphragm contracts and flattens
o increase in volume of the thoracic cavity reduces pressure in lungs
o so air enters, from outside, down the pressure gradient

Question 10

What happens during expiration?

Answer 10

o external intercostal muscles relax so rib cage moves down and in
o internal intercostal muscles contract to pull ribs down and in during forced expiration
o diaphragm relaxes and domes
o decrease in volume of the thoracic cavity increases pressure inside lungs
o air is forced out down the pressure gradient, aided by the elastic recoil

Question 11

When are ventilators used to assist breathing?

Answer 11

1. When there is muscle weakness
2. In severe lung infections

Question 12

What are pleural membranes in the lungs ?

Answer 12

o are serous membranes
o one side lines body cavity wall and the other lines lungs
o secrete serous fluid that reduces friction and enables the membranes to slide over each other
o prevent lungs adhering to body cavity wall

Question 13

What do goblet cells produce?

Answer 13

Mucous

Question 14

What does the elastin in the walls of the alveoli allow to happen?

Answer 14

Allows stretch and recoil.

Question 15

What is the benefit of the squamous epithelial cells of the alveoli being flat and only one cell thick?

Answer 15

Gives a short diffusion distance for gas exchange

Question 16

What 3 principles relate to a good and efficient gas exchange in the human lung?

Answer 16

o short diffusion pathway
o large surface area
o maintaining diffusion gradients

Question 17

Why is oxygen needed in cells?

Answer 17

Aerobic respiration for the production of ATP

Question 18

What is a peak flow meter used for?

Answer 18

o measure the maximum speed of expiration, known as peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)
o measure the ability to breathe out air and can monitor degree of obstruction in airways
o are used to determine lung functionality and the severity of asthma and emphysema symptoms

Question 19

What does PEFR stand for?

Answer 19

Peak expiratory flow rate

Question 20

What causes the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) to vary?

Answer 20

Age
Gender
Fitness levels

Question 21

What is forced vital capacity?

Answer 21

The amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a deep breath in.

Question 22

What can the measurement of forced vital capacity (FVC) help to determine?

Answer 22

The presence and severity of lung disease, such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Question 23

What causes the forced vital capacity (FVC) to vary?

Answer 23

Age
Gender
Fitness levels

Question 24

How does exercise effect tidal volume and breathing rate?

Answer 24

Tidal volume increases during and just after exercise.
Breathing rate increases during and just after exercise.

Question 25

What is respiratory minute ventilation?

Answer 25

The volume of air passing into and out of the lungs per minute.

Question 26

How do you calculate respiratory minute ventilation (RMV)?

Answer 26

RMV = tidal volume x breathing rate per minute

Question 27

What is tidal volume?

Answer 27

Natural breathing volume

Question 28

What is residual volume in the lungs?

Answer 28

Air that remains in the lungs to prevent collapse of alveoli

Question 29

What are the inspiratory and expiratory reserves?

Answer 29

Extra volume required for a deep breath in (inspiratory) and out (expiratory).

Question 30

Why does oxygen consumption increase during exercise?

Answer 30

More aerobic respiration takes place.