Biology: Chapter 6: The Respiratory System

Question 1

what is the pathway of air starting from the nose

Answer 1

Nares –> Pharynx –> larynx –> trachea –> bronchi –> bronchioles –> Alveoli

Question 2

what are the vibrissae

Answer 2

nasal hairs in the naval cavity that help filter the air

Question 3

what are the alveoli

Answer 3

small sacs that interface with the pulmonary capillaries allowing gases to diffuse across a one cell thick membrane

Question 4

what is the surfactant

Answer 4

in the alveoli to reduce surface tension at the liquid gas interface to prevent collapse

Question 5

what is the visceral pleura

Answer 5

lies adjacent to the lung itself

Question 6

what is the parietal pleura

Answer 6

lines the chest wall

Question 7

what is the intrapleural space

Answer 7

lies between the two layers and contains a thin layer of fluid that lubricates two pleural surfaces

Question 8

what is the diaphram

Answer 8

thin skeletal muscle that helps to create pressure differential required for breathing

Question 9

Explain Inhalation

Answer 9

Active process where the diaphram and external intercostal muscles expand the thoracic cavity increasing the volume and decreasing pressure drawing in air from the environment

Question 10

Explain Exhalation

Answer 10

Passive process where the diaphram and external intercostal muscles relax allow chest to decrease volume (increase pressure); active exhalation includes contraction of internal intercostal and abdominal muscles to forcibly decrease volume

Question 11

what is a spirometer

Answer 11

measures lung capacities and volumes

Question 12

what is TLC

Answer 12

total lung capacity; max volume of air in lungs when one inhales completely

Question 13

what is RV

Answer 13

residual volume; volume of air remaining in lungs after one exhales

Question 14

what is VC

Answer 14

vital capacity; difference between minimum and maximum volume of air in the lungs

Question 15

what is TV

Answer 15

tidal volume; volume of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath

Question 16

what is ERV

Answer 16

expiratory reserve volume; volume of additional air that can be exhaled after a normal breath

Question 17

what is IRV

Answer 17

inspiratory reserve volume; volume of additional air that can be inhaled after a normal breath

Question 18

what composes the ventilation center

Answer 18

collection of neurons in medulla oblongata (chemoreceptors; baroreceptors) + cerebrum

Question 19

what are chemoreceptors

Answer 19

respond to carbon dioxide levels in the blood and change respiratory rate accordingly

Question 20

what happens when there is a high concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood

Answer 20

hyperventilation

Question 21

What are the pulmonary arties

Answer 21

carry deoxygenated blood high in carbon dioxide to the lungs

Question 22

what are the pulmonary veins

Answer 22

carry oxygenated blood low in carbon dioxide from the lungs

Question 23

How does the alveoli assist in thermoregulation

Answer 23

large surface area between alveoli and capillaries allows vasodilation and vasoconstriction of capillary beds

Question 24

What protects the respiratory system from pathogens

Answer 24

vibrissae, muscous membranes, mucociliary escalator, lysozyme, macrophages, IgA antibodies, mast cells

Question 25

what are lysozymes

Answer 25

enzymes in the nasal cavity and saliva attacks peptidoglycan

Question 26

what are macrophages

Answer 26

cells that engulf and ingest pathogens and signal the rest of the immune system

Question 27

what are mast cells

Answer 27

have antibodies on surface that promote the release of inflammatory chemicals; associated with allergies

Question 28

how does the respiratory system control body pH

Answer 28

bicarbonate buffer system

Question 29

what happens when blood pH is low

Answer 29

respiration rate increases (decrease CO2) causing a shift to the left in the bicarbonate equation (decreases H ions) raising the pH

Question 30

what happens when blood pH is high

Answer 30

respiration rate decreases (increases CO2) causing a rightward shift (increases H ions) lowering the pH

Question 31

what is the bicarbonate equation

Answer 31

CO2 + H2O –> H2CO3 –> H + HCO3-