Gases and Repitory disorders Flashcards
2 factors that determine transport and diffusion of gases
2 main factors determine this ability: surface area of the respiratory membrane and differences in concentration of the gases across the membrane.
As altitude increases, the ________ or _______ of air molecules decrease.
Concentration, Density
what is 1 pascal equal to
1 newton exerted on an area of one square metre
what is partial pressure
the total air pressure in a sum of the mixture of the component gases.
what is the partial pressure at sea level
the partial pressure of oxygen is 20.9% of the atmosphere, or 21.17kPa.
how is partial pressure writen
Px or PO2
(X and O2 are small and at the bottom)
where does oxygen move from and to
Oxygen moves from the air in the alveoli (13.3 kPa) to the bloodstream (5.33 kPa)
what is the liquid part of blood called
plasma
what gives blood red colour
An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that bind with molecules of oxygen to form oxyhemoglobin
how much oxygen is carried in blood
Blood without hemoglobin carries only about .3ml of oxygen per 100mL of blood. Blood with hemoglobin carries about 20ml of oxygen per 100mL of blood.
what is the by-product of cellular respiration
Carbon dioxide
what are the 3 ways carbon dioxide is transported
dissolved in plasma (7%), attached to hemoglobin to form carbaminohemoglobin (20%), and reacts with water in plasma to form carbonic acid (73%).
what happens to the hydrogen molecules in the lungs
In the lungs, the hydrogen ions separate from the hemoglobin and diffuse into the blood plasma. There they react with the bicarbonate ions and reform carbon dioxide and water.
what happens to the air as our altitude increases
the air pressure becomes weaker
what is erythropoietin (EPO)
hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells. This increases the amount of oxygen that can be absorbed from the air and delivered to cells.
what controls breathing
nervous and circulatory
what is the process that cause us to breathe
The brain sends signals that cause the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles to contract causing inhalation. Stretch receptors in the lungs send signals back to the brain so it stops sending signals to the diaphragm. It then relaxes and causes exhalation.
how is breathing rate determind
determined by the demand for oxygen or the need to eliminate carbon dioxide.
causes of asthma
Chronic, long-term inflammation of the lining of bronchi & bronchioles
Lining of airway swells reducing airflow to lungs
Overproduction of mucus contributes to reduced airflow
“Triggers” 🡪 cigarette smoke, dust, cold air, exercise, allergens (i.e. Pollen, animal
symptoms of asthma
Coughing
Wheezing
Tightness in chest
Shortness of breath
treatment for asthma
Not curable
Avoiding triggers
Inhalers (“puffers”) provide medications that dilate (open up) bronchi & bronchioles
Causes of COPD
- Mostly caused by cigarette smoke
Other causes include long-term exposure to pollution, dust, or fumes
Genetic disorders can cause emphysema
Symptoms of COPD
Similar to asthma
Treatments for COPD
Not curable
medications, lifestyle changes
oxygen therapy
lung transplants in extreme cases
Causes of the flu
flu virus
symptoms of the flu
fever
dry cough
sore throat
runny nose
muscle & joint aches
treatments for the flu
Antiviral drugs if diagnosed within first 24-48 hrs
Causes for tuberculosis (TB)
Bacterial infection
Infects lungs first, but if not treated can affect nervous system, bones, joints, & spine
Most cases occur in developing countries
symptoms of TB
coughing
chest pain
weight loss
night sweats
coughing up blood
sometimes no symptoms
Treatments for TB
Vaccination for prevention
6 month course of antibiotics if you get infected
Causes of pneumonia
Lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi
Inflammation of lining of bronchi, bronchioles, & alveoli
Pus & mucus accumulates in alveoli preventing gas exchange
symptoms of pneumonia
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
yellow & green phlegm
treatments for pneumonia
Antibiotics treat bacterial pneumonia
Infants & elderly especially susceptible due to weakened immune systems
Causes for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Genetic disorder
Gene that controls mucus production is defective
Thick & sticky mucus clogs airways reducing airflow
Also affects digestion (pancreatic function)
symptoms for CF
Persistent cough
Excess mucus
More susceptible to lung infections (i.e. Pneumonia)
Treatments for CF
Not curable
Clearing excess mucus (percussion)
Antibiotics treat other infections
Ongoing physiotherapy
Lung transplants
