Exchange Surfaces and Breathing Flashcards
How do you calculate the volume of a sphere?
4/3pieR3
How do you calculate the surface area of a sphere?
4pieR2
Name 4 features common to all effective gas exchange systems…
Increased surface area, thin layers, good blood supply and ventilation to maintain diffusion gradient.
What is the passage of air in the human gaseous exchange system?
Nostril/mouth, nasal cavity, trachea, bronchus, bronchioles.
What are the 3 important features of the nasal cavity?
It has a large SA with a good blood supply to warm the air. It has a hairy lining which secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria. It has a moist surface which increases the humidity of the air, reducing evaporation.
What happens to the air passing through the nasal cavity?
It becomes the same temperature and humidity of the air already in the lungs.
Describe the cartilage in the trachea…
There are C shaped rings of strong flexible cartilage.
Why are the rings of cartilage in the trachea incomplete?
So food can move down the oesophagus behind the trachea.
Why is there cartilage in the trachea?
To stop the trachea collapsing.
What is the trachea lined with?
Ciliated epithelium and goblet cells.
What are the purpose of goblet cells in the trachea?
They secrete mucus on to the lining if the trachea to trap dust and microorganisms.
What is the purpose of the ciliated epithelium in the trachea?
To move the mucus up and away from the lungs, it is swallowed and digested.
What is an effect of cigarette smoke?
It stops the cilia beating.
What is the plural of bronchus?
Bronchi
Describe the structure of the bronchi…
Similar to the trachea (cartilage) but smaller.
What do the walls of the bronchioles contain?
Smooth muscle, no cartilage.
What is the function of the smooth muscle in the bronchioles?
To contract and relax so they constrict and dilate controlling how much air Reaches the lungs.m
What allow some gaseous exchange in the bronchioles?
They are lined with a thin layer of flattened epithelium.
What are the alveoli?
Tiny air sacs that are the main has exchange surfaces if the body.
What is the diameter of an alveolus?
200-300um
What are alveoli composed of?
A layer of thin flattened epithelial cells, collagen and elastic fibres made of elastin.
What Is the relevance of elastic fibres in the alveoli?
Elastic recoil. The alveoli can stretch as air is drawn in and when they return to their resting size they squeeze air out.
What are the main adaptions of the alveoli for effective gaseous exchange?
Large surface area, thin layers, good blood supply and good ventilation.
What is lung surfactant?
A solution on that coats the surface of the alveoli and stops them collapsing after every breath.
Describe the process of inspiration…
The diaphragm contracts moving down/lowering/flattening. The intercostal muscles contract moving the ribs upwards and outwards. The volume of the thorax increases so the pressure inside of the thorax falls/decreases to below atmospheric pressure so air is drawn into the lungs equalising the pressure.
Describe the process of expiration…
The diaphragm relaxes moving upwards and outwards into a dome shape. The intercostal muscles relax so the ribs move down and inwards under gravity. The elastic fibres in the alveoli return to their normal length. The volume of the thorax decreases tbsp the pressure inside the thorax increases to above atmospheric pressure so air is moved out if the lungs equalising the pressure.
What are the 3 methods of measuring the volume of air that is drawn in and out of the lungs?
A peak flow meter, vitalographs and spirometers.
What is a peak flow meter?
Measures the rate at which air can be expelled from the lungs.