Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Bio L6 (5) Oxygen and carbon dioxide: gas exchange and transport > Lung structure and function > Flashcards

Lung structure and function Flashcards

1
Q

Match the SA:Mass ratio of the lungs with the mammal it belongs to:

  • Seals, Humans and Bats.
  • 7cm2/g, 13 cm2/g, 100cm2/g.
A 
Humans = 7cm2/g.
Seals = 13 cm2/g.
Bats = 100cm2/g.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the relative diameter of an alveoli?

A

They are very small, diameter roughly 100um (micrometers)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the SA:V ratio like for alveoli?

A

There is a huge SA:V for alveoli and the lungs in general.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the capillary bed surrounding the alveoli like?

A

It is very dense, nearly covers 87% of the alveoli.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the alveolar epithelium?

A

“A layer of cells separating the body tissues from the environment”.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the endothelium?

A

“A layer of cells separating the blood from the tissues.”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is squamous epithelium?

A

“A thin and flat cell at an exchange surface.”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Alveoli contains an epithelial cell which is specialised to produce what?

A

Surfactant.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does surfactant do and why is this beneficial?

A

It lowers the surface tension of water which allows us to inflate our lungs properly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why may premature babies have trouble inflating their lungs fully?

A

Their surfactant producing cells have not developed enough and therefore water has a high surface tension and the lungs cannot inflate properly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is Fick’s Law?

A

Rate of diffusion is proportional to the concentration gradient x surface area / diffusion distance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

According to Fick’s law, which factors can be increased to speed up the rate of diffusion?

A 
Surface Area(:Volume ratio).
Concentration Gradient.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

According to Fick’s law, which factors can be decreased to speed up the rate of diffusion?

A

Diffusion distance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

According to Fick’s law, which factors can be increased to slow down the rate of diffusion?

A

Diffusion distance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

According to Fick’s law, which factors can be decreased to slow down the rate of diffusion?

A 
Surface Area(:Volume ratio).
Concentration Gradient.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How are the alveoli adapted to have a high surface area?

A

They are very small so their SA:V ratio is large.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How are the alveoli adapted to have a high concentration gradient?

A

Ventilation of alveoli maintains the gradient, as well as the circulation of blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How are the alveoli adapted to have a low diffusion distance?

A

Squamous epithelial cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

The trachea, bronchi and bronchioles are known as dead space, what does this mean?

A

They are simply a passage for air and gas exchange does no occur here.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the function of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles?

A

They allow the diameter of the airways to be altered to control movement of air into the alveoli.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the function of the C shaped rings of cartilage in the trachea and bronchi?

A

They prevent collapse of airway as pressure falls during inhalation they also allow expansion of oesophagus during swallowing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which airways contain most cartilage?

A

Trachea and Bronchi, to make sure the airway stays open.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How is cartilage found in the trachea and bronchi?

A

In a C-shaped formation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the function of the goblet cells?

A

To produce mucus which collects dust and foreign particles such as bacteria.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the function of the ciliated epithelial cells?
They 'waft' the mucus up the throat to prevent it reaching the lungs.
26
What is the antagonistic pair in the wall of the bronchioles?
Smooth muscle and loose tissue with elastic fibres.
27
How does the antagonistic pair work in the bronchioles?
Smooth muscle contracts the airway and then elastic fibres recoil to open the airway back up.
28
Which part of the the antagonistic pair restricts the bronchiole?
Smooth muscle.
29
Which part of the the antagonistic pair opens up the bronchiole?
Loose tissue with elastic fibres.
30
Air entering through the nose enters which cavity?
Nasal cavity.
31
Air entering through the mouth enters which cavity?
Buccal cavity.
32
Where do the nasal and buccal cavities lead?
The pharynx
33
What difference is there to air entering the nasal cavity and the buccal cavity?
Air in the buccal cavity is not warmed or moistened as much as the air passing through the nasal cavity, and it is not filtered at all.
34
What is the pharynx?
A tube that conducts both food and air.
35
What prevents food from going down the trachea?
The epiglottis closes over the glottis to block off the windpipe.
36
What is commonly known as the windpipe?
Trachea.
37
What is the little flap of tissue that prevents food entering the windpipe?
Epiglottis.
38
Where is the larynx located?
Just above the trachea.
39
From the pharynx, where does air go before the trachea?
The larynx.
40
What holds open the trachea?
C-shaped rings of cartilage.
41
Without the cartilage rings, what would happen to the trachea?
It would collapse when breathing out.
42
Why are the cartilage in the trachea C-shaped and not fully circular?
To allow food to pass down the oesophagus.
43
What are the microscopic hair-like extensions on the ciliated epithelium?
Cilia.
44
What is the function of the cilia in the trachea?
They beat in a wave-like manner, moving mucus, dust, and microorganisms upwards and out of the lungs.
45
The trachea divides into two main branches, what are these?
The right and left bronchus.
46
What does the bronchus divide into?
Smaller branches called the bronchioles.
47
Where do the bronchioles lead to?
Numerous alveoli.
48
What is mucus?
A slimey material rich in glycoproteins.
49
What happens to air entering the nasal cavity?
It is filtered by the nasal hairs, warmed by contact with the tissues and moistened by cells in the mucous membrane.
50
What adaptations do the alveoli have fore efficient gas exchange?
- Very thin walls. - A moist inner surface. - A huge combined surface area. - A rich blood supply.
51
What are the microscopic bulbous sacs in the lungs?
Alveoli.
52
Where does gaseous exchange occur?
Alveoli.
53
How is oxygen obtained and transported?
Obtained from the air and transported in the blood.
54
What is the main function of the gaseous exchange system?
Exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the blood.
55
What is ventilation?
The continuous flow of air into and out of the lungs.
56
How is ventilation achieved?
Through the breathing mechanics of the chest.
57
The main organ of gaseous exchange is the lungs, however some animals breathe through other ways, give an example:
Aquatic vertebrates = Gills. Some land vertebrates = Skin. Bats can use their wings to lose C02 as well as their lungs.
58
What is the rough diameter of an alveoli?
100 um (micrometers).
59
What maintains the moistness of the alveoli?
The fluid from the cytoplasm passes through the cell surface membrane on the surface of the alveolar walls.
60
What is the transport medium for the oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and body cells?
Blood.
61
What is the unit for partial pressure?
kPa (Kilopascals).
62
What protects the lungs from external forces?
The ribcage.
63
What is the passage of air to where it it exchanged into the blood?
Trachea -> Bronchi -> Bronchiole -> Alveoli.
64
How many layers of intercostal muscles are there?
3, but only label internal and external.
65
What is the structure of a single alveoli?
Each alveolus is made from a single layer of thin, flat cells called alveolar epithelium.
66
How are the alveoli adapted for gas excahnge?
1) Thin exchange surface. | 2) Large surface area.
67
How do the alveoli ensure a large surface area?
Through the massive numbers of them present.
68
How do the alveoli ensure a thin exchange surface?
The alveolar epithelium is only one cell thick meaning there is a short diffusion pathway.
69
How does the alveoli's steep concentration gradient maintain itself?
Through the dense network of capillaries supplying lots of blood for diffusion.

Bio L6 (5) Oxygen and carbon dioxide: gas exchange and transport (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions