Lecture 16 Flashcards
How does breathing pattern affect alveolar ventilation?
- fast and shallow breathing: the tidal volume decreases but the frequency increases so the total ventilation remains the same
alveolar ventilation decreases - slow and deep breathing: the frequency is a low slower but the volume is more so the total ventilation remains the same
alveolar ventilation increases
What is the effect of fast shallow breathing on alveolar ventilation?
There is a decrease in alveolar ventilation which causes hypoxia (decreased partial pressure of alveolar O2) and hypercapnia (increased partial pressure of alveolar CO2) and acidity.
From a gas exchange point of view, there is a decrease in the transfer of O2 from the alveoli into the capillaries and the CO2 is not being removed and so it wastes ventilation in the dead space. It is energetically costly for the respiratory muscles.
What is the effect of slow deep breathing on alveolar ventilation?
There is an increase in alveolar ventilation. This causes hyperoxia (increased partial pressure of O2 in the alveoli) and hypocapnia (decreased partial pressure of CO2 in the alveoli) and alkalinity. There is an increase on gas exchange but it is energetically costly for the respiratory muscles and so they are working harder to get air in.
The respiratory quotient (RQ) is: A. V̇ O2/V̇ CO2 B. a measure of cell metabolism. C. V̇ CO2/ ̇VO2 D. A and B are both correct. E. B and C are both correct.
E
We need to exchange _____ and ______ between alveolar air and ______ in lung ________ by ______
O2 CO2 blood capillaries diffusion
We need to exchange ________ and _______ between _________ in tissue _______ and cells in the __________ by _________
O2 CO2 blood capillaries tissues diffusion
Gases move across the alveolar capillary membrane by ____________
diffusion
What are three different names for the barrier between the lungs and the blood?
- air-blood barrier
- blood-gas barrier
- alveocapillary membrane
What three things make up the air blood barrier?
- alveolar epithelial cells (type 1)
- basement membrane
- endothelial cell
Which direction does O2 flow through the air-blood barrier?
from the type 1 epithelial cells, through the basement membrane and through the endothelial cell into the blood
What direction doesCO2 flow through the air-blood barrier?
From the blood endothelial layer, through the basement membrane then through the alveolar type 1 cell into the lungs
What does Fick’s Law of diffusion describe?
the gas exchange through the membranes
What is Fick’s Law of diffusion?
What do each of the components mean?
F = A/T D (P1-P2) F = flux (ie. amount flowing) A = surface area of the alveoli T = thickness of the membrane D = diffusion constant ie. how easy it is to move stuff across the membrane P1-P2 = pressure difference
What does the diffusion constant depend on?
the solubility of the gas, and the molecular weight (as described by Graham’s Law)
Which diffuses faster, CO2 or O2? Why is this?
CO2 diffuses about 20x faster than O2 due to CO2 having a higher solubility
What can we do to increase the area of the alveoli?
we can breathe in which increases the ventilation which increases the area
What is a disease that results in a decrease in the area of the alveoli?
Explain this
This is a disease characterised by dilation of the alveolar spaces and destruction of the alveolar walls. There is a decrease in the surface area of the lung. This means that patients have less air flow through the alveoli and therefore there is decreased PO2 in blood