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Biology > Gas exchange in humans > Flashcards

Gas exchange in humans Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is the process of moving air in and out of our lungs called?

A

Ventilation

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2
Q

What is the structure that protects internal organs such as lungs?

A

Ribs

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3
Q

What are the muscles between the ribs that control their movement called?

A

Intercostal muscles

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4
Q

What is the sheet of connective tissue and muscle at the bottom of the thorax?

A

Diaphragm

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5
Q

What is the windpipe that connects the mouth and nose to the lungs?

A

Trachea

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6
Q

What is the voice box also known as?

A

Larynx

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7
Q

What are the two large tubes branching off the trachea, one for each lung, called?

A

Bronchi

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8
Q

What are the smaller tubes that split from the bronchi and connect to the alveoli?

A

Bronchioles

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9
Q

What are the tiny air sacs where gas exchange takes place?

A

Alveoli

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10
Q

What is the fluid-filled space that reduces friction and allows lungs to move freely?

A

Pleural Cavity

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11
Q

Fill in the blank: The thorax is the whole structure of the _______.

A

chest

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12
Q

What is inhalation?

A

Breathing in

Inhalation involves the contraction of certain muscles to draw air into the lungs.

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13
Q

What happens to the external intercostal muscles during inhalation?

A

They contract

This contraction moves the ribs up and out.

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14
Q

What is the role of the diaphragm during inhalation?

A

Contracts and moves down, flattening

This action increases the volume of the thorax.

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15
Q

What effect does inhalation have on thoracic volume?

A

Increases

An increase in thoracic volume leads to a decrease in pressure.

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16
Q

What causes air to move into the thorax during inhalation?

A

Pressure in the thorax is lower than pressure outside

This pressure difference allows air to flow in.

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17
Q

What is exhalation?

A

Breathing out

Exhalation involves the relaxation and contraction of specific muscles.

18
Q

What happens to the external intercostal muscles during exhalation?

A

They relax

The internal intercostal muscles contract during this process.

19
Q

What is the role of the diaphragm during exhalation?

A

Relaxes and moves up, becoming dome shaped

This contributes to the decrease in thoracic volume.

20
Q

What effect does exhalation have on thoracic volume?

A

Decreases

A decrease in thoracic volume results in an increase in pressure.

21
Q

What causes air to move out of the thorax during exhalation?

A

Pressure in the thorax is higher than pressure outside

This pressure difference allows air to flow out.

22
Q

What is the composition of inhaled air compared to exhaled air?

A

Inhaled air has more oxygen, exhaled air has more carbon dioxide

Additionally, exhaled air has more water vapor and is warmer.

23
Q

What is the primary function of alveoli?

A

Site of gas exchange by diffusion

Alveoli facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

24
Q

What happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide during gas exchange in the alveoli?

A

Oxygen diffuses from alveoli into blood; carbon dioxide diffuses from blood to alveoli

This process is essential for respiration.

25
Q

How are alveoli adapted to increase the rate of diffusion?

A

They are millions of small, rounded sacs

This increases the surface area to volume ratio and they are also highly folded.

26
Q

What is the thickness of alveoli and capillary walls?

A

Only 1 cell thick

This thinness provides a short diffusion distance for gas exchange.

27
Q

What factors create a steep concentration gradient for O2 and CO2?

A

Ventilation and a rich blood supply

These factors enhance the efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs.

28
Q

What role does the layer of moisture on the surface of alveoli play?

A

Helps gases to dissolve for diffusion

This moisture facilitates the crossing of gases through the alveolar membrane.

29
Q

What are carcinogens found in cigarettes?

A

Tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide

Tar is known to cause cancer, nicotine is highly addictive, and carbon monoxide affects oxygen transport in the blood.

30
Q

What happens to the alveoli in emphysema?

A

Walls break down and fuse together, becoming enlarged

This condition severely reduces the Surface Area to Volume ratio, impairing oxygen exchange.

31
Q

What is the common side effect of bronchitis?

A

Smoker’s cough

This occurs due to inflammation of bronchioles and excess mucus production.

32
Q

How does cigarette smoke affect cilia in the trachea?

A

Destroys cilia, preventing mucus clearance

This leads to blocked air passages and increased risk of infections.

33
Q

What is lung cancer and how is it caused by smoking?

A

Mutation of cells due to tar, leading to uncontrollable division

Tumors can form, often detected at late stages due to lack of symptoms.

34
Q

What is coronary heart disease?

A

Narrowing or blockage of arteries supplying blood to the heart

This can lead to blood clots, heart attacks, and sudden death.

35
Q

Fill in the blank: Cigarettes contain _______ which can cause the blood to thicken and form clots.

A

Chemicals

These chemicals contribute to cardiovascular diseases.

36
Q

What can be used to measure the release of carbon dioxide?

A

Limewater or hydrogen carbonate indicator

Limewater turns cloudy in the presence of carbon dioxide, while hydrogen carbonate indicator turns yellow in CO2 and purple in no CO2.

37
Q

What is the method for measuring breathing rates during different levels of exercise?

A

Take the resting breath rate and then the new breath rate for each minute after exercising

This method helps to observe changes in breathing rates due to exercise.

38
Q

What are some control variables in the investigation of breathing during exercise?

A
  • Size
  • Gender
  • Fitness
  • Age
  • Time of exercise
39
Q

Why do you breathe heavier after exercise?

A

Muscles need to respire more, requiring more oxygen and the removal of excess carbon dioxide

Breathing heavily helps to meet the increased oxygen demand and remove CO2 produced during exercise.

40
Q

What happens if muscles do not get enough oxygen during intense or prolonged exercise?

A

They respire anaerobically, producing lactic acid

Anaerobic respiration occurs when oxygen levels are insufficient for aerobic processes.

41
Q

What is the purpose of breathing heavily after exercise?

A

To break down lactic acid using oxygen

This process requires additional oxygen to completely oxidize the lactic acid produced during anaerobic respiration.

42
Q

What is the term for the amount of oxygen needed to completely oxidize lactic acid?

A

Oxygen debt

Biology (18 decks)

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