Resp 4 Flashcards
Needing a large change in intropleural pressure would be described as having ________ compliance
Decreased
What is the reason that we don’t have smaller alveoli emptying into larger alveoli?
Surfactant
What makes the lungs more compliant by reducing surface tension on alveoli?
Surfactant
What do type II alveolar cells secrete?
Surfactant
What is surfactant
A detergent like molecule that is secreted by type II alveolar cells that helps with keeping alveoli open
What is the make-up of surfactant?
90% phospholipids
10% protein
What does surfactant reduce
Surface tension of alveoli (reducing the inward pressure)
What are the two things that surfactant does?
Increases compliance
Ensures alveoli of all size inflate
Do both small and large alveoli have the same amount of surfactant?
How?
Yes they do, but the concentration within smaller alveoli is more because they are less spread out
where will air always flow
through the path of least resistance
why can’t alveoli just have water for surface tension
it would make them just collapse. the surfactant helps generate negative intrapleural pressure to keep them open
if an infant is born prematurely, what is a concern?
infant respiratory distress syndrome
what is infant respiratory distress syndrome
developmental insufficiency of surfactant production an immaturity of the lungs
where is the location of variable resistance in the respiratory system
bronchioles
where does approximately 90% of airway resistance occur
in the trachea and bronchi
what does low CO2 do to bronchiole smooth muscle
constricts
what does high levels of CO2 do to bronchiole smooth muscle
dilates it
what does parasympathetic activity do to bronchiole smooth muscle
causes constriction
what does sympathetic activity do to bronchiole smooth muscle
dilates it
what is asthma
chronic inflammation within airways
what receptors does a puffer stimulate
B2 adrenergic receptors which stimulates relaxation
what determines flow In the respiratory system
pressure gradient and resistance
what is Patm
it is a constant value
what causes the change in Palveoli
change in lung volume
