Respiration Physiology Flashcards
At rest; what is the arterial partial pressure of oxygen?
100mmHg.
At rest; what us the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide?
40mmHg
What is present in the trachea that traps inhaled particles?
Goblet cells secrete mucus which traps particles. Mucus removed out of the system by rhythmic beating of the cilia.
What volume is ventilated at rest?
6L/min
What is the maximum ventilation volume?
160L/min
How far does the diaphragm contract in quiet breathing?
1cm
Describe inspiration of quiet breathing.
Active.
External intercostals pull ribs outwards and upwards.
Describe expiration of quiet breathing.
Passive
Elastic recoil
How far does the diaphragm contract in strenuous breathing?
10cm
Describe inspiration of strenuous breathing.
Active
Accessory muscles activated e.g. sternocleidomastoid and alae nasi
Describe expiration of strenuous breathing.
Active
Describe the relationship between volume and pressure.
Inversely related.
What pleural and alveolar pressure do the lungs need to be before air can move in?
Negative
What is function residual capacity
Volume of air in the lung after quiet breathing.
What is the resting tidal volume of the lungs?
500ml
How is vital capacity measured?
Breathe in to the max, breathe out to the max. As quick as possible.
How are lung volumes measured?
Vitalograph or spirogram.
In a healthy individual what is the FEV1/FVC ratio?
70-80% in the first second.
In an individual with COPD; what is the FEV1/FVC ratio?
<70%
What is atmospheric pressure?
760mmHg
What are conducting airways?
Anatomical dead space, non-respiratory bronchioles don’t participate in gas exchange.
What are respiratory airways?
Alveoli present on the bronchioles, therefore gas exchange occurs.
Name some characteristics of the alveoli. (3)
Elastic recoil.
Thin walled.
Large surface area.
What are alveolar cells composed of?
Type 1 and type 2 cells.
What are type 1 alveolar cells?
Primary site of gas exchange.
What are type 2 alveolar cells?
Produce pulmonary surfactant which reduces surface tension.
What does bronchial circulation supply blood to?
Lung parenchyma. (functional lung tissue in gas transfer)
What gas is easier to diffuse/more soluble?
CO2 diffuses easily.
In pulmonary blood circulation, what gas enters and what gas leaves?
Oxygen enters and C02 leaves.
In systemic blood circulation, what gas enters and what gas leaves?
C02 enters and Oxygen leaves.
What must the sum of partial pressure equal?
Total pressure.
What are the 2 ways oxygen can be transported around the body?
Dissolved.
Bound to haemoglobin.
What method is the primary mode of oxygen transport?
Bound to haemoglobin.
How many haem groups are in haemoglobin?
4
What compromises the protein globin?
2 Alpha and 2 beta chains.
What does the oxygen bind to in haemoglobin?
Iron molecule.
The process of oxygen binding to haemoglobin is…?
Reversible.
Initially haemoglobin affinity for oxygen is low, how does this change as it progresses?
When binding occurs, conformation changes happen to increase the affinity for oxygen.
Define oxygen saturation
The amount of oxygen bound to the haem group relative to the maximum amount that can bind.
how many molecules of oxygen can bind to haemoglobin?
4
How many mls of oxygen does 1g of haem combine with?
1.39mls