Physics Rules

Question 1

Law of LaPlace

Answer 1

Smaller alveoli have a higher tendency to collapse

Question 2

Dalton’s law of partial pressures

Answer 2

The total pressure exerted by a gaseous mixture = the sum of the partial pressures of each individual component of the gas mixture.

Question 3

Fick’s law of diffusion

Answer 3

The amount of gas that moves across a sheet of tissue in unit time is proportional to the area of the sheet but inversely proportional to its thickness.

Question 4

Henry’s law

Answer 4

The amount of O2 dissolved in the blood is proportional to the partial pressure.

Question 5

The Bohr effect

Answer 5

Hb’s O2 binding affinity is inversely related to both acidity and the [CO2] –> an increase in blood CO2 concentration (which leads to decreased pH) will result in Hb proteins releasing their load of oxygen. This shifts the O2 dissociation curve to the right.