Learning Outcomes

Question 1

Describe the partial pressure changes that occur during respiration (both in the airway and the blood) and explain how this facilitates the movement of oxygen from the alveoli into the pulmonary capillaries

Question 2

Apply your knowledge of respiratory volumes and the dynamics of airflow to explain respiratory changes in obstructive and restrictive airway diseases

Question 3

Describe the mechanisms by which gas exchange occurs in both the lungs and the peripheral tissues.

Question 4

Describe the factors underlying the chemical control of breathing and explain why they are not affected by exercise

Question 5

Describe the purpose of the respiratory system, and the four steps involved in external respiration

Question 6

Describe the role of the respiratory muscles in both inspiration and expiration

Question 7

Describe the purpose of the pleural space

Question 8

Describe the different pressures involved in the mechanics of breathing

Question 9

Applying the law of Laplace, describe why alveoli do not collapse

Question 10

Describe the pressure changes that occur to enable inhalation and expiration

Question 11

Describe the pressure-volume relationship of the lung

Question 12

Describe how changes in bronchiolar radius affect air flow.

Question 13

Compare and contrast how asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema affect air flow.

Question 14

Describe what is meant by a “restrictive” airway disease.

Question 15

Describe the different lung volumes and why they are important.

Question 16

Describe how lung volumes are affected in obstructive and restrictive lung diseases

Question 17

Using the formula for minute ventilation, make an argument as to whether it is better to increase frequency of breathing or tidal volume in order to increase vential.

Question 18

Describe what is meant by the “work” of breathing.

Question 19

Describe the importance of partial pressures for gas exchange.

Question 20

Describe how arterial partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide always return to the same values for circulation to the tissues.

Question 21

Describe gas exchange across the capillary walls.

Question 22

Describe the importance of capillary transit time in gas exchange.

Question 23

Describe haemoglobin and why it is important for gas transport.

Question 24

Describe the oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve and explain the importance of the steep slope around PO2 = 40 mmHg and the plateau around PO2 = 100 mmHg

Question 25

Outline the factors that affect the dissociation curve

Question 26

Describe how carbon dioxide is transported in the blood

Question 27

Describe the neutral control of respiration

Question 28

Describe the different mechanical receptors involved in respiration

Question 29

Describe the chemical control of breathing

Question 30

Explain how ventilation changes during exercise