Equations Flashcards
What is Dalton’s law
Dalton’s law states that in a mixture of non-reacting gases, the total pressure exerted is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the individual gases.
Boyle’s law
Boyle’s law states that at constant temperature for a fixed mass, the absolute pressure and the volume of a gas are inversely proportional.
- an increase in volume decreases the pressure of a gas
- a decrease in volume increases the pressure of a gas
Henry’s law
At a constant temperature, the amount of a given gas that dissolves in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid.
Alveolar gas equation
PAO2 = PiO2 - PaCO2/R
Laplace’s law
Laplace’s equation describes the relationship between P pressure inside alveoli, surface tension (T) and radius (r)
P = 2T / r
As the radius decreases, the pressure increases
- surfactant stabilises alveoli of different sizes by altering surface tension depending of SA of alveolus
- pressure needs to be equal so that alveoli do not collapse
What produces surfactant
Produced by type II pneumocytes from 34 weeks gestation, large increase in the 2 weeks before birth
What is surfactant?
Surface active phospholipid
- phosphatidyl choline
- phosphatidyl glycerol
- phosphatidyl inositol
- surfactant proteins A, B, C, D
What does surfactant do?
Virtual abolition of surface tension
Allows homogenous aeration
Allows maintenance of functional residual capacity
What does the volume of the lung depend on (and therefore pressure as Boyle’s law)
- Transpulmonary pressure - the difference in pressure between inside and outside of the lung
- How stretchable the lungs are -determines how much they will stretch for any given change in transpulmonary pressure
Transpulmonary pressure
Transpulmonary pressure is the transmural (across a wall) pressure that governs static properties of the lungs
Palv - Pip = Transpulmonary pressure
pressure inside alveoli - pressure of intrapleural fluid = Transpulmonary pressure
What is respiratory distress syndrome?
- Not enough surfacant to reduce surface tension, the infant can only inspire by strenous effects, can lead to exuastion, inability to breathe and lung collapse
- Leading death in premature babies, surfactant-synthesizing cells may be too immature to function properly
- Production occurs in last gestation stimulated by cortisol secretion
treatment assisted breathing, administration of natural or synthetic surfactant through trachea
Airway resistance
Airway resistance is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the airway radii
smaller radius = greater resistance
What holds airways open? -Physical factors (2)
- Cartilage - in bronchi (2)
- Elastic connective tissue, these fibres are pulled upon as the lungs expand during inspiration, this helps pull the airways open further between breaths - this is LATERAL TRACTION
What holds airways open? -Neural factors/Chemical factors
Neuroendocrine and paracrine factors and influence smooth muscle and thereby airway resistance.
eg, epinephrine relaxes smooth airways by effecting beta-adrenergic receptors
eg. leukotrienes (produced during inflammation) contract the muscle
What factors does the partial pressure of a gas depend on?
- heat = speed of particles
2. concentration of the gas