Biological Role of Respiration

Question 1

Name the 3 principle compartments of the respiratory system

Answer 1

Conduction zone - conditions air
Respiratory zone - site of gas exchange
Musculo-elastic ventilation apparatus - drives ventilation

Question 2

What are sinuses?

Answer 2

Hollow sections in bones that open up into the nasal cavity - the narrow slits allow turbulences that move air through to the cavity.

Question 3

What epithelium lines sinuses?

Answer 3

Respiratory epithelium

Question 4

OLFACTORY NERVES - how do they detect smell?

Answer 4

Non-motile cilia coated with olfactory receptors that can bind volatile molecules - depolarises the membrane to create an AP to the brain (olfactory bulb). These receptors cells are made by differential mRNA splicing.

Question 5

What cells help the olfactory receptors?

Answer 5

Sustentacular cells to maintain membrane potential.

Question 6

Where is the mucus made for the olfactory epithelium?

Answer 6

Bowman’s gland outside of the epithelium - there are no goblet cells within.

Question 7

What is mucocillary clearance?

Answer 7

Ciliated cells beat in one direction and move mucus in one direction - those in sinuses beat towards the throat. The junction is at the pharynx - allows us to swallow.

Question 8

What epithelium covers the conduction zone?

Answer 8

respiratory!