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Biology > Chapter 6: The Respiratory System > Flashcards

Chapter 6: The Respiratory System Flashcards

1
Q

Where are the lungs located?

A

in the thoracic cavity

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2
Q

Label the anatomy of the respiratory system.

A
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3
Q

Where does gas exchange occur within the respiratory system?

A

in the lungs

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4
Q

How does air enter the respiratory tract?

A

through the nares of the nose

it then passes through the nasal cavity where it is filtered by mucous membranes and nasal hairs

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5
Q

Where does the air go after it passes through the nasal cavity? Differentiate these 2 structures.

A

air then passes into the pharynx and the larynx

pharynx: behind the nasal cavity; a food and air pathway
larynx: below the pharynx; an air pathway only, no food

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6
Q

How is food kept out of the respiratory tract?

A

the glottis (opening of the larynx) is covered by the epiglottis during swallowing

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7
Q

The larynx contains 2 __________.

A

vocal cords

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8
Q

Where does the air flow after it passes through the larynx?

A

air passes into the cartilaginous trachea and then into one of the 2 mainstream bronchi

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9
Q

What type of cells do the bronchi and trachea contain? What function does this serve?

A

ciliated epithelial cells to catch material that has made it past the mucous membranes in the nose and mouth

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10
Q

The bronchi are divided into smaller structures called:

A

bronchioles

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11
Q

The bronchioles end in which structures? What occurs at these structures?

A

alveoli: tiny balloon-like structures

the site of gas exchange

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12
Q

What are alveoli coated with and what purpose does this serve?

A

coated with surfactant

lowers surface tension at he alveolar surface and prevents the alveolus from collapsing on itself during exhalation

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13
Q

What are 2 key differences between the left and right lungs.

A

left lung: 2 lobes, slightly smaller

right lung: 3 lobes, slightly larger

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14
Q

What are the membranes that surround each lung called and what is their function?

A

pleurae

form a closed sac against which the lungs expand

(note: the pleurae can be divided into the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura)

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15
Q

Describe the structure of the pleura.

A

the visceral pleura: adjacent to the lung

intrapleural space: between the 2 membranes, contains a thin layer of fluid to lubricate the 2 surfaces

the parietal pleura: adjacent to the chest wall

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16
Q

Where is the diaphragm located and what is it’s purpose?

A

a thin, muscular structure the divides the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity

a skeletal muscle involved in generating the negative pressure for lung expansion

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17
Q

Explain the mechanism of negative-pressure breathing (inhalation). (4)

A
  • at rest, the intrapulmonary pressure equals the atmospheric pressure
  • inhalation involves the contraction of the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles to increase the the intrathoracic volume
  • increase in intrathoracic volume causes decrease in relative pulmonary air pressure
  • the decrease in pressure within the lungs causes external air to flow in

note: inhalation is an active process

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18
Q

What is the function of the intrapleural space?

A

at rest, the intrapleural space maintains a lower air pressure than the lungs to keep the lungs inflated

if the intrapleural pressure reaches zero (due to puncture) the lungs would collapse

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19
Q

Explain the process of exhalation.

A
  • the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax the decrease the intrathoracic volume
  • the decrease in intrapulmonary volume results in an increase in intrapulmonary pressure
  • air exists the lungs to equalize the pressure between the lungs and the outside world

note: exhalation is not necessarily an active process

this process can be sped up using internal intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles to actively decrease the thoracic cavity volume

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20
Q

What is a spirometer?

A

a medical instrument used to measure lung capacity and volume

21
Q

Name 6 commonly tested lung volumes.

A

total lung capacity (TLC)

residual volume (RV)

vital capacity (VC)

tidal volume (TV)

expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

22
Q

What is total lung capacity (TLC)?

A

the maximum volume of air in the lungs when one inhales completely

usually 6-7 liters

23
Q

What is residual volume (RV)?

A

the minimum volume of air in the lungs when one exhales completely

24
Q

What is vital capacity?

A

the difference between the minimum and maximum volume of air in the lungs

= TLC - RV

or

= IRV + ERV + TV

25
Q

What is tidal volume?

A

the volume of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath

26
Q

What is expiratory reserve volume (ERV)?

A

the volume of additional air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal exhalation

27
Q

What is inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)?

A

the volume of additional air that can be forcibly inhaled after a normal inhalation

28
Q

What is the ventilation center?

A

a collection of neurons in the medulla oblongata that regulate ventilation

these neurons contain chemoreceptors that are sensitive to carbon dioxide concentration

29
Q

Explain how ventilation is regulated by our nervous control center.

A
  • neurons of the ventilation center contain chemoreceptors that are sensitive to CO2 concentration
  • if the CO2 partial concentration in the blood rises, the respiratory rate increases so that more CO2 is exhaled and blood CO2 levels drop again
  • these neurons are also sensitive to oxygen concentration, and will increase ventilation rate in response to low O2 levels (hypoxemia)
30
Q

What is hypercarbia/hypercapnia?

A

high CO2 partial pressure in the blood

31
Q

What is hypoxemia?

A

low oxygen concentration in the blood

32
Q

List the structures of the respiratory pathway from where air enters the nares to the alveoli.

A

nares → nasal cavity → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli

33
Q

Which muscles are involved in inhalation?

A

the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles

34
Q

Which muscles are involved in exhalation?

A

passive exhalation: the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles recoil

active exhalation: the internal intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles contract

35
Q

The lung are integrated with many other body systems such a ________. Explain.

A

the cardiovascular, immune, renal, and nervous systems

the lungs are lined with many capillaries to be used in thermoregulation

the lungs prevent invaders from entering the bloodstream

controls blood pH by controlling CO2 concentrations

36
Q

List the 4 lung functions covered in this chapter.

A

gas exchange

thermoregulation

immune function

control of pH

37
Q

Each alveolus is surrounded by:

A

a network of capillaries

38
Q

What is the purpose of the capillaries surrounding the alveoli?

A
  • they bring deoxygenated blood from the pulmonary arteries (which originate in the right ventricle)
  • the walls of the capillaries are only one cell thick, which facilitates diffusion of CO2 from the blood into the lungs and O2 from the lungs into the blood
  • the oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium of the heart via the pulmonary veins
39
Q

Describe how gas exchange is facilitated at the alveoli.

A
  • the driving force for gas exchange is the pressure differential of the gases
  • when blood arrives at the alveoli, it has a relatively low partial pressure of O2 and a relatively high partial pressure of CO2
    • both diffuse down their concentration gradient: CO2 exits and O2 enters
40
Q

Describe the predominant methods by which humans regulate temperature.

A

using capillaries and sweat glands in the skin

rapid muscle contraction (shivering)

41
Q

Describe how the respiratory system is involved in thermoregulation.

A
  • the large surface area between the alveoli and capillaries allows the respiratory system to assist in thermoregulation through vasodilation and vasoconstriction of capillary beds
    • note: amount of heat transfer is related to surface area, dilating or restriction the capillaries changes the surface area for heat transfer
  • as capillaries expand, there is greater surface area between the blood and the outside air, and more thermal energy can be released from the blood
  • as capillaries constrict, there is less surface area between the blood and the outside air, and less thermal energy will be released from the blood
42
Q

Describe 5 ways that the respiratory system functions in defence against pathogens.

A
  • vibrissae (small hairs) in the nasal cavity trap particles
  • the nasal cavity contains the enzyme lysozyme which can attack the peptidoglycan walls of gram-positive bacteria
  • the internal airways are lined with mucus with trap particulate matter and larger invaders
    • the mucociliary escalator: underlying cilia propel the mucus up the respiratory tract into the oral cavity where it can be expelled or swallowed
  • the lungs contain macrophages (immune cells) which engulf and digest pathogens
  • mucosal surface contain IgA antibodies which protect against pathogens that contact the mucous membranes
  • mast cells in the lungs
43
Q

How do mast cells function?

A
  • these cells have preformed antibodies on their surfaces
  • when the right substance attaches to the antibody, the cell releases inflammatory chemicals into the surrounding area to promote an immune response

note: unfortunately, these antibodies often react to substances such as pollen and mold resulting in allergic reactions

44
Q

Through what system does the respiratory system play a role in pH balance?

A

the bicarbonate buffer system

45
Q

What is the equation for the bicarbonate buffer system in the blood?

A
46
Q

What is acidemia?

A

when the bodies pH is lower (more acidic) than its optimal range

47
Q

What is alkalemia?

A

when the bodies pH is higher (more basic) than its optimal range

48
Q

How would the respiratory system react to acidic conditions in the blood?

A
  • the excess H+ ions will combine with bicarbonate to form carbonic acid
  • the bicarbonate will the dissociate into water and CO2
  • hyperventilation will remove the CO2 from the bloodstream
49
Q

How would the respiratory system react to basic conditions in the blood?

A
  • hypoventilation will result in accumulation of CO2 in the bloodstream
  • the CO2 can then combine with water to form carbonic acid
  • carbonic acid can then dissociate into H+ ions and bicarbonate

Biology (11 decks)

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