Module 3.3 Respiratory responses to acute and chronic exercise

Question 1

Explain pulmonary ventilation

Answer 1

Movement of gasses from the atmosphere into the lungs through the muscular action of the respiratory muscles

Question 2

Explain gas transport

Answer 2

The transport of O2 and CO2 in the blood

Question 2

Explain alveolar gas exchange

Answer 2

Movement of O2 from the lung (and more specifically the alveoli) into the blood and movement of CO2 from the blood into the lungs.

Question 3

Explain systemic gas exchange

Answer 3

Movement of O2 and CO2 between the blood and the cells of the body. Importantly the skeletal muscle and heart when referring to exercise.

Question 4

What is the equation for pulmonary ventilation?

Answer 4

Pulmonary ventilation is a product of breathing rate and tidal volume, so:

Pulmonary Ventilation (L/min) = Breathing Rate (breaths per min) X Tidal Volume (L per breath)

Question 5

What is the abbreviation for pulmonary ventilation?

Answer 5

VE.

Question 6

What happens to ventilation rate at the onset of exercise?

Answer 6

VE increases at the onset of exercise and is largely proportional to the intensity of the exercise.

Question 7

What is the diffusion of gas determined by?

Answer 7

The diffusion area
How easily a molecule diffuses (diffusion coefficient)
The difference in the partial pressure of the gas at each side of the tissue (i.e. inside and outside the cell) – otherwise known as the diffusion gradient
The thickness of the tissue