Biology: Gas Exchange: Humans Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Outline the structure of the human gas exchange system

A

-mouth and nose air in, air down trachea -trachea into bronchi into bronchioles
-bronchiole ends have air sacs called alveoli -alveoli surrounded by capillaries
-diaphragm, ribs, intercostal muscles involved in ventilation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the flow of air through the human gas exchange system

A

-mouth and nose breath air in -air moves down trachea which splits into two bronchi
-bronchi further divided into bronchioles -air sacs called alveoli at bronchiole ends
-alveoli exposed to capillary network -air exchanged at alveoli into bloodstream

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the seven specialised tissues involved in the human gas exchange system?

A

-cartilage -surfactant -elastin -goblet cells -smooth muscle -squamous epithelium
-ciliated epithelial cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Where is cartilage found?

A

trachea and bronchus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the function of cartilage?

A

strength and prevents collapse when pressure decreases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Where is surfactant found?

A

coats surface of lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the role of surfactant?

A

maintains moisture and reduces surface tension to prevent alveoli collapsing when pressure decreases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Where is smooth muscle found?

A

trachea and bronchioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does smooth muscle allow?

A

airways to constrict by contraction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where are goblet cells found?

A

trachea and bronchioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What do goblet cells do?

A

secrete mucus to trap dust and bacteria particles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Where are ciliated epithelial cells found?

A

trachea and bronchioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the purpose of ciliated epithelial cells?

A

wafts mucus for removal, clears airways and prevents infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Where is elastin found?

A

all of airways and alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why is elastin needed?

A

allows lung tissue to stretch and recoil. allows alveoli to return to original shape after exhalation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where is squamous epithelium found?

A

alveoli

17
Q

What is the function of squamous epithelium?

A

provides short diffusion distance

18
Q

How is the human gas exchange system adapted?

A

-thin alveolar epithelium and capillary endothelium -lots of alveoli -narrow capillaries
-lots of capillaries -constant ventilation

19
Q

Why is thin capillary endothelium and alveolar epithelium important?

A

short diffusion distance

20
Q

Why are many alveoli important?

A

increases surface area

21
Q

Why are narrow capillaries important?

A

diffusion time increased, red blood cells slowed

22
Q

Why are many capillaries important?

A

circulation constantly removes oxygenated blood, steep concentration gradient

23
Q

Why is ventilation important?

A

ensures high concentration of oxygen in alveoli, concentration gradient maintained