Chapter 6 -Respiratory System Flashcards
The inner pleural membrane that surrounds the lungs is called ____________.
Visceral pleura
The outer pleural membrane that surrounds the lungs is called __________
Parietal pleura
Which division of the nervous system controls the diaphragm?
Somatic nervous system
What is the diaphragm?
It is a thin, muscular structure that divides the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
What happens when the diaphragm relaxes?
The volume of the thoracic cavity decreases because the chest wall and intrapleural space is contracted. This causes the pressure of the intrapleural space to increase. This causes the air from the lungs (higher pressure) to rush out into the atmosphere (lower pressure) through a process called exhalation.
What happens when the diaphragm contracts (flattens)?
The thoracic cavity expands which creates a decrease in pressure in the lungs, which causes air from the atmosphere (higher pressure) to rush into the lungs (lower pressure).
What is surfactant?
It is a substance that coats the alveoli which allows lower surface tension and prevents the alveoli from collapsing on itself during exhalation.
Movement of air through the respiratory systems
Nares, nasal cavity, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
What is the residual volume?
It is the volume of gas remaining in the lungs after a maximum exhalation. This is the volume of air that is always present in your lungs.
What is Total lung capacity (TLC)?
It is the total amount of air in the lungs after a maximum inhalation. This includes the residual volume.
What is vital capacity (VC)?
This is the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation. You can calculate it by doing (TLC — RV).
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
It is the additional maximum volume of air that can be forcefully inhaled after normal inhalation.
What is expiratory reserve volume?
It is the additional maximum volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal exhalation.
What is tidal volume (TV)?
It is the volume of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath.
What are some of the main functions of the lungs?
Gas exchange, protection against invaders trying to access the bloodstream, controlling blood pH
The diaphragm moves _________ during inhalation and ________ during exhalation.
Down (contracted), up (relaxed)
If there is too much acidity in the blood, how do the lungs compensate for this?
The respiratory rate increases, which causes more carbon dioxide to be released and allows for the blood pH to increase.
What is the function of capillaries?
They are tiny blood vessels that play a role in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the lungs. They also deliver nutrients and remove waste from the bloodstream and tissues (through diffusion). They act as a bridge.
Describe the structure of a hemoglobin protein.
It is a quaternary protein made up of four subunits (two alpha subunits and two beta subunits). Each subunit has an Fe containing heme group which holds 1 O2 molecule.
At 100% saturation how many oxygen atoms can 1 hemoglobin molecule carry?
8 Oxygen atoms (4 O2 molecules)
What is the driving force for gas exchange at the alveoli?
It is the partial pressure of the two gases. The partial pressure of CO2 is high in the incoming deoxygenated blood which allows for diffusion across the alveolar membrane. The partial pressure of O2 is greater in the alveoli, which allows for oxygen to diffuse down the capillaries into the blood that is destined to go back to the heart.
What is the role of the enzyme lysozyme in the nasal cavity?
It is an enzyme, which is able to fight of potential bacteria. It attacks the peptidoglycan wall of gram-positive bacteria.
What kind of immune cells are located in the lungs (specifically alveoli)?
Macrophages which are able to engulf and digest pathogens, IgA antibodies, and mast cells which release inflammatory chemicals to promote an immune response.
Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium via ________.
Pulmonary veins
