Gas Exchange Flashcards
How is ventilation calculated?
RR x CO
What is an average/ normal ventilation?
6000 ml/min or 6L/min
Boyle’s Law
States that when temperature s constant, pressure and volume are inversely related
P1V1=P2V2
Dalton’s law
The total pressure exerted by a gas mixture is the sum of the pressures exerted by the individual gases that make it that mixture
Henry’s Law
States that the amount of a gas absorbed by a liquid to which it is not chemically combined is directly proportional to the positive pressure of the gas in the liquid.
Composition of Alveolar Air- in comparison to atmospheric air
What is the significance of slow replacement of alveolar air?
- Prevents sudden changes in gas composition in the alveolar air and subsequent concentration in blood
- Maintains respirtory control mechanisms which are dependent on stability of tissue oxygenation, carbon dioxide concentration and pH when respiration is temporarily interrupted
What are primary gases found in inspired air?
N2
O2
Immediately, upon entry to respiratory passage, air is humidified with __________.
Water vapor
NOTE: Total pressure in alveoli cannot exceed barometric pressure; therefore, other gases are diluted
What are the partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide dependent on?
- Rate of absorption of O2 into the blood
- Rate of entry of new O2 into the lungs
What is the normal alveolar PO2?
104 mm Hg
What’s the normal alveolar ventilation?
4.2 L/min
NOTE: There is a 4-fold increase in VA required during exercise
The composition of expired air is determined by the ______ and ___________.
Dead space and alveolar volumes
What does the first portion of expelled air contain?
Dead space air, which is air that has been humidified and does not participate in gas exchange
What does the second portion of expelled air contain?
A gradual mixing of dead space with alveolar air until all dead space is washed out and only alveolar air is being expelled
NOTE: For pulmonary tests, collect last amount of air for pure sample of alveolar gas
Total pulmonary ventilation is greater than alveolar ventilation because of __________.
Dead space
A portion of tidal volume that remains in the upper conducting airways and does not participate in gas exchange.
Dead space volume
NOTE: Anatomical dead space is determined by the size and number of airways the gas occupies. While, physiological dead space usually occurs indiseased lungs.
What areas are considered to have physiological dead space?
- Ventilated alveoli with no perfusion
- Over-ventilated areas relative to the amount of perfusion
- Sites of no gas exhange
Fowler’s Method of Dead Space Measurement
- Subject takes a single breath of 100% O2 and then exhales into a tube that continuously measures the [N2] in the expired gas.
- Anatomic dead space containing 100% O2 and 0% N2 empties first followed by alveolar emptying.
- Alveolar emptying results is a rise in [N2] and a decline in [O2] until a plateau is reached (indicates alveolar gas only).
- The volume with initially 0% N2 plus 50% of the rising N2 volume is equal to the anatomic dead space.
Fick’s Law
States that the diffusion of a gas across a sheet of tissue is directly related to the surface area of the tissue, the diffusion constant for that gas, and the partial pressure difference of the gas on each side of the tissue and is inversely proportional to tissue thickness
Partial pressure of a gas
The partial pressure of a gas is equal to the fraction of the gas in gas mixture times the barometric pressure
- O2 = 21% of Barometric pressure
- N2= 79% of Barometric pressure
How can PO2 be changed?
- Fraction of inspired oxygen (air mask)
- Changes in Barometric pressure
- Supplemental O2
- Travel to high altitudes (decreases PO2)
What are the partial pressire in the alveolar air determined by?
- Alveolar ventilation
- O2 consumption
- CO2 production
Ideal Alveolar Gas Equation
- PAO2= The partial pressure of oxygen in the alveolus
- PIO2= Inspired partial pressure of oxygen which is equal to the FIO2 times the difference between the barometric pressure and pressure of H2O
- PACO2= The alveolar gas carbon dioxide tension
-
R= Respiratory exchange ratio= 0.8
- Ratio of CO2 excreted to the oxygen taken up by the lungs
What does a respiratory exhange ratio of 0.8 indicate?
That there is more O2 consumed than CO2 produced
REMEMBER: The ratio is CO2/O2