Lecture 18: Respiratory 1-structure, Function, Ventillation Flashcards
Be able to label the diagram on slide 7
Yep
What’s the difference between internal and external respiration?
Internal respiration:
- cellular respiration
- intracellular process: O2 is used by mitochondria to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
- CO2 and H2O produced as waste products
External respiration: involves 4 processes
- Pulmonary ventilation
- Gas exchange (lungs)
- Transportation of O2 and CO2
- Gas exchange
What are the functions of the upper respiratory tract?
- conducts air to and from lower respiratory tract
- warms and moistens air
- nasal cavities also filter and clean the air (nasal hairs, mucus and cilia)
- larynx also
- prevents airway collapse (cartilage)
- prevents food entering LRT (epiglottis)
- cough reflex
- initiated voice production
Divisions of the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
Ie what structures are contained in each?
Upper: -oral cavity, nasal cavity -pharynx -larynx (Conducting zone)
Lower respiratory tract:
- trachea
- bronchi
- bronchioles
- alveoli (respiratory zone)
Conducting zone:
What’s is responsible for?
- conducts air to and from the respiratory zone
- warms, humidifies and cleans air (contains goblet cells, secret mucus) and cilia
- NO GAS EXCHANGE
Trachea (LRT, conducting zone)
Functions
Keeps airways open during inspiration
-cartilage rings prevent airway collapse when lungs at low pressure during inspiration
Cleans air via mucus escalator
-cilia beats mucus and foreign particles towards pharynx for swallowing
Initiates cough reflex in response to irritants
Smoking paralyses the cilia so smokers must cough to remove mucus
Bronchi (LRT, conducting zone)
Functions:
- distribute air into and though out lungs
- keep airway open during inspiration- cartilage rings
- clean air via mucus escalator ➡mucus secreting goblet cells and cilia
- cough reflex
Bronchioles (LRT, conducting/ respiratory zones)
-bronchioles transit between conducting and respiratory zones
-small tubes of small muscle
-contain no cartilage
Function?
- Distribute air through lungs
- clean air via mucus escalator (goblet cells and cilia)
- can adjust airflow (diameter can change; regulated by ANS)
- respiratory bronchioles are involved in gas exchange
LRT: respiratory zone
What it do?
Site of gas exchange
- includes respiratory bronchioles and alveoli
- gas exchange maximised by:
- large surface area
- thin walls
- no cartilage
- no goblet cells (no mucus)
- sparse/ absent cilia
Alveoli (LRT, Respiratory zone)
Structure and function?
-tiny, sac-like structures
-arranged in clusters (alveolar sacs) located at the end of alveolar ducts
-functions is gas exchange
2 types of alveolar cells
Type 1:
Epithelial cells that form single layer structure over alveolus
Type 2 alveolar cells:
-synthesis surfactant
Respiratory membrane:
Separates air in alveoli from blood Comprised of: -type 1 alveolar epithelial cells -basement membrane -capillary endothelial cell Membrane is VERY thing
Look at summary of airway structure and function, best tool to study
Do it
Structure of the thoracic cavity
Lungs located within the thoracic cavity, encased by the chest wall
Each lung is encased in its own pleural sac
Pleura: lining made up of epithelial cells and connective tissue
What are the functions of the intrapleural fluid?
- Provides lubrication for friction free lung movement
- Generates surface tension that:
- prevents separation of pleurae
- helps hold lungs against chest wall in a semi-inflated state at rest
What is pulmonary ventilation?
How is airflow driven?
Getting air in and out of lungs.
By pressure gradients?