Physiology Flashcards
How is most oxygen transported in the blood?
Bound to haemoglobin
What is the primary factor in determining the percentage saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen?
PO2, if partial pressure is normal haemoglobin will be saturated
What factors can impair oxygen delivery to tissues?
Decreases in partial pressure of inspired oxygen
Respiratory disease
Anaemia
Heart failure
What factors move the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve to the right?
hypercapnia hyperthermia Acidosis Increased 2,3 DPG sickle cell disease exercise
What are the three methods by which carbon dioxide is transported in the blood?
In solution
As bicarbonate
As carbamino compounds
How is most carbon dioxide transported in the blood?
As bicarbonate
Describe the Haldane effect.
Removing oxygen from Hb increases the ability of Hb to pick up carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide generated hydrogen ions.
Does oxygen move the carbon dioxide-haemoglobin dissociation curve to the left or right?
right
Which part of the brainstem acts as the major rhythm generator in control of respiration?
Medulla
What is the name given to the network of neurones responsible for generating breathing rhythm?
Pre-botzinger complex
Which neurones are excited by the rhythm generated by the pre-botzinger complex?
Dorsal respiratory group neurones in the medulla
When does expiration occur?
When the firing of dorsal respiratory group neurones stops.
How does hyperventilation occur?
There is increased firing in the dorsal neurones. This excites the ventral respiratory group neurones, which in turn leads to contraction of the accessory muscles of respiration leading to forced expiration.
Which part of the body can modify the respiratory rhythm generated in the medulla?
The pons
What mechanism prevents apneusis (prolonged inspiratory gasps with brief expiration)?
The pneumotaxic centre in the pons is stimulated when the dorsal respiratory neurones fire, terminating inspiration.
Which mechanism prevents over-inflation of the lungs during exercise?
Hering-Breuer
What receptors mediate the Hering-Breuer mechanism?
Pulmonary stretch receptors
Where are the peripheral chemoreceptors located?
Aortic and carotid bodies
What stimulus do central chemoreceptors respond to?
Hydrogen ion concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid
What receptors mediate hypoxic drive?
Peripheral chemoreceptors
Describe the chronic adaptations to high altitude hypoxia.
Increased RBC production Increased 2,3 DPG Increased capilaries Increased mitochondria Kidneys conserve acid
What is internal respiration?
The intracellular mechanisms which consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide.
What is external respiration?
The sequence of events that lead to the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the external environment and the cells of the body.
What are the four steps involves in external respiration?
Ventilation
Gas exchange between alveoli and blood
Gas Transport
Gas exchange at tissue level