Lecture 4: Physical Principles Of Gas Exchange Flashcards
What is diffusion?
Random molecular motion of molecules
Movement of a gas in one direction is the effect of…
A concentration gradient
Direction of diffusion occurs from areas of ___ to ___
High to low concentration
Rate of diffusion is dependent on ___
Pressure
Total pressure of mixture =
The summation of partial pressures of gases in a mixture
Respiratory gases include (3)
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon dioxide
Composition of air
- 79% nitrogen
- 21% oxygen
Total pressure of air mixture =
760 mm Hg
1 atmosphere =
760 mm Hg
Nitrogen partial pressure
79% of 760 mm Hg = 600 mm Hg
Oxygen partial pressure
21% of 760 mm Hg = 160 mm Hg
Henry’s Law—Solubility of a gas in a liquid depends on what 4 things?
- Temperature
- Partial pressure of gas over the liquid
- Nature of the solvent
- Nature of the gas
When dissolved molecules are attracted by water more and can be accumulated without building up excess pressure in solution = ___ soluble
Highly soluble
Molecules which are repelled by water will dissolve less and have lower concentration = ___ soluble
Poorly soluble
Carbon dioxide is ___ times more soluble than oxygen
20 times
Rate of net diffusion of gases is determined by…
Difference of partial pressures (pp)
If pp of gas in alveoli > blood, then…
Gas moves into blood (i.e.: oxygen)
If pp of gas in blood > alveoli, then…
Gas moves into alveoli (i.e.: carbon dioxide)
What is vapor pressure?
Partial pressure of water escaping surface into gas phase
Vapor pressure is ___ mm Hg when gas mixture is fully humidified at 37 degrees Celsius
47 mm Hg
Vapor pressure depends on ___
Temperature
At greater temperature, the ___ the kinetic energy and ___ water escaping into the ___ phase
Greater the kinetic energy, more water escaping into the gas phase
How do you calculate the pp of O2 in the upper airway?
760 mm Hg (total) = 713 mm Hg (pp Air) + 47 mm Hg (pp H2O vapor)
Pp of O2 in upper airway = 713 mm Hg x 0.21 = 150 mm Hg
What are 6 factors that affect gas diffusion rates?
- Pressure differences
- Gas solubility in fluid
- Area of fluid
- Distance which gas must diffuse
- Molecular weight of gas
- Temperature of fluid (constant in body)
What are 2 characteristics of the gas which affect the ability and rate of net diffusion?
- Solubility of gas molecule
- Molecular weight
Diffusion coefficient is proportional to…
The relative rates at which different gases diffuse
D =
Diffusion coefficient
D is directly proportional with ___
Solubility
D is inversely proportional to…
The square root of the gas’ molecular weight
Respiratory gases are highly soluble in ___
Lipids (the main component of cell membranes)
Cell membranes are highly permeable to…
Respiratory gases
Rate of gas movement into tissues is limited by…
Diffusion rate of gas through tissue water
Movement of gas into and out of tissues =
Diffusion rate of gas through water
Does alveolar air have the same gas concentrations as atmospheric air?
No
Why are there differences in alveolar air vs. atmospheric air? (4 things)
- Alveolar air is partially replaced by atmospheric air during each breath
- Oxygen constantly absorbed into blood from alveoli
- Carbon dioxide diffused into alveoli from blood
- As air enters respiratory passages, it becomes humidified, diluting the inspired gases partial pressures
What is required to exchange alveolar air?
Multiple breaths
___ ccs of air per breath
350 ccs
FRC is roughly ___ ccs
2500 ccs
Each breath replaces a ___ of FRC
A seventh
Multiple breaths to exchange alveolar air prevents…
Sudden change in gas concentrations; allows respiratory control mechanisms to be more stable