Gas Exchange & Respiration Flashcards

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1
Q

Respiration

A

The transport of oxygen to cells, involves three diff processes

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2
Q

Ventilation

A

exchange of air between the lungs and environment (the physical act of breathing)

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2
Q

Gas Exchange

A

exchange of O2 and CO2 in alveoli and bloodstream (occurs passively in diffusion)

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2
Q

Cell Respiration

A

the act of the cells using O2 to make ATP

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3
Q

Diaphragm

A

muscle at the bottom of the ribs that is responsible for the act of breathing; drops down when contracting to increase volume and decrease pressure

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3
Q

Which muscles contract in inhalation?

A

Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles

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3
Q

Features of Alveoli

A

TRIM
T- thin wall, made of single-layer squamous cells
R-rich capillary network, allows for better gas exchange
I- Increased SA: Volume ratio, allows for optimization of O2 transfer
M- moist, prevents alveoli from collapsing and allows gases to dissolve

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3
Q

Type 1 Pneumocyte

A

Type of alveoli cell responsible for gas exchange, made of squamous cells and is 95% of alveoli surface

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4
Q

Intercostal Muscles

A

Muscles that are found on the inside and outside of the rib cage, responsible for inhalation

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4
Q

Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressure

A

Law that states that the total pressure in a system is proportional to the amount of pressure being enacted by each individual component (ie. air pressure is composed of pressure from O2, nitrogen, and more)

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4
Q

Type 2 Pneumocyte

A

Type of alveoli cell that secretes surfactants to keep a moist environment and prevent alveolus from sticking to each other

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5
Q

Why is it hard to breathe at high altitudes?

A

The total environmental pressure is lower, so while the concentration of O2 is the same, the partial pressure of O2 is lower, and therefore there’s less force pushing the oxygen into the lungs, leading to a lack of oxygen

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6
Q

Structure of hemoglobin

A

4 globular units, 2 alpha and 2 beta structures, and each polypeptide has an iron containing heme group that O2 binds to

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7
Q

Oxygen affinity

A

Refers to how well hemoglobin picks up and keeps the oxygen

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8
Q

Cooperative Binding

A

Process by which the hemoglobin undergoes a conformational change when an oxygen is bound to it, which means that when you gain an oxygen, it becomes easier and easier to pick up oxygen the more oxygen molecules are already bound to the hemoglobin

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9
Q

Factors that Effect the Oxygen Dissociation Curve

A

Higher temperature and a lower pH move the oxygen dissociation curve to the right, because the hemoglobin protein is destabilized and releases the O2 more readily

10
Q

Why is the oxygen dissociation curve an S curve?

A

Because of cooperative binding, oxygen does not bind to hemoglobin at a linear rate

11
Q

How is fetal hemoglobin different?

A

It contains a gamma instead of a beta subunit, and has a higher affinity for oxygen so it can take oxygen from mother’s hemoglobin through passive diffusion

12
Q

Myoglobin

A

Contains 1 heme group, and can only contain one oxygen. Type of oxygen transport molecule found in the muscles as backup during exercise. Has a high affinity for oxygen, so will only release it when conditions are dire

13
Q

Why is Dalton’s Law important?

A

Because gases with a larger gradient between partial pressures will diffuse faster than those with a smaller gradient. At high altitudes, the partial pressure of the air outside and the air in the capilliaries is closer than at sea level, so it diffuses slower and we get less oxygen

14
Q

Bohr Effect

A

The drop in pH in the blood due to CO2 and increased presence of acids, which then shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the right.

The presence of CO2 also reduces hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen, and the acidity caused by the HCO3- also destabilizes the protein

15
Q

Process of bohr effect + CO2

A
  1. CO2 moves from cells into the blood stream, and 70% is diffused into an RBC
  2. CO2 combines with H20 to form carbonic acid (H2CO3)
  3. Carbonic acid (H2CO3) immediately dissociates and loses an H+ ion, forming bicarbonate ions (HCO3-)
  4. Production of H+ ions increases acidity of blood
  5. HCO3- moves out of RBC and Cl- moves in (chloride shift) to keep the erythrocyte a neutral charge
  6. HCO3- binds with loose Na+ to form NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate) which prevents HCO3- from liberating another H+ ion
16
Q

Haldane Effect

A

Says that oxygen displaces CO2 carried by hemoglobin to allow for oxygenation and gas exchange in the lungs

17
Q

Anhydrase

A

Reverts carbonic acid back into CO2 and H2O

18
Q

Aortic and Carotid bodies

A

Chemoreceptors that detect the pH of the blood and send signals to the brain to either increase heart rate and breathing or to slow it down

19
Q

Medulla Oblongata

A

Area of the brain responsible for modulating how quickly the heart beats and the lungs breathe, part of the brainstem

20
Q

Asthma

A

A common, chronic inflammation in airways of the lungs

21
Q

Symptoms of Asthma

A

shortness of breath, tightness in chest, wheezing, coughing

22
Q

Asthma Triggers

A

ASS FACE
A- allergies
S- smoking
S- stress & anxiety
F- food preservatives and medications
A- arthropods (dust mites)
C- cold air
E- exercise

23
Q

Symptoms of high altitude sickness/hypoxia

A

fatigue, breathlessness, rapid pulse, nausea, headaches

24
Q

How does the body acclimatize to high altitudes?

A

Short term-
Diaphragm learns to drop lower
Increased production of RBCs and hemoglobin
Increased Vascularization of muscles
Kidneys secrete alkaline wine, increase lactate clearance in the body

Long term-
Larger/wider chest (barrel chest)
Greater lung surface area

25
Q

Cause of COPD

A

Irritants creating chronic inflammation and bronchitis from excess mucus buildup, and the destruction of alveoli (emphysema) by irritants that dissolve the alveoli walls and reduce surface area

26
Q

Symptoms of COPD

A

Difficulty breathing, coughing, loss of ability to exercise and walk, necessity of breathing in tube oxygen

27
Q

Risk factors for COPD

A

Smoking (including second-hand)
long term exposure to irritants (ie. asbestos)
pre-term birth (pre-32 weeks)
genetic factors (AAT deficiency, prevents formation of protein that protects lung tissue from enzymes)

28
Q

Risk factors for lung cancer

A

Smoking (including second hand)
Family History
Chemicals (like asbestos)
Air Polution
Radon Exposure
HIV

29
Q

Symptoms of lung cancer

A

Chronic cough
Chest pain
Trouble breathing
Appetite loss
Weight loss
Coughing blood
Hoarseness
Face Swelling
Tiredness

30
Q

Vital capacity

A

the max volume of air you are physically able to take in and exhale

31
Q

Tidal volume

A

the normal volume of air you usually take in, completely automatic

32
Q

Residual Volume

A

the little volume of air left behind after exhale to keep alveoli open and prevent lung collapse