Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
What two parts make up the respiratory system?
- Upper respiratory tract
2. Lower respiratory tract
What is the upper respiratory tract made up of?
The airway from nose through larynx (Head and Neck)
What is the lower respiratory tract made up of?
The trachea and all components of the lungs (Thorax)
Name the zones or divisions the respiratory system is also divided up into?
- Conduction Zone
2. Respiratory Zone
What is the function of the conduction zone?
Conduct air to lungs
What is the function of the respiratory zone?
Gas exchange
How many lobes does the right lung have?
3
How many lobes does the left lung have?
2
What is pleurae?
It is a double layered protective membrane that covers the lungs.
Name some of the functions of the respiratory system.
- To filter,warm and humidify incoming air.
- Transport air from outside the body to the lungs.
- Gas exchange between lungs and blood to enable oxygenation of body tissues.
- To expel waste products of cell metabolism such as CO2.
What wafts particles trapped in the mucus to the larynx, where it can be coughed out or swallowed?
cilia
Describe the alveoli.
The tiny sac-like alveoli are where gas exchange takes place.
Name the two types of cells that make up the alveoli.
- Type I squamous epithelial cells- which are thin and aid diffusion.
- Type II round/cuboidal epithelial cells- secrete pulmonary surfactant.
What is surfactant for?
It helps lower the surface tension in the alveoli, which allows them to re-inflate after exhalation, and prevents them from collapsing when we breath out.
It is made up of phospholipids and protein.
Describe the term alveolar gas exchange.
It is gas exchange that occurs across the respiratory membrane.
Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli to the pulmonary venule, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the pulmonary arteriole to the alveoli.
What cells have lots of mitochondria and why?
The liver and heart.
This is because they form multiple functions.
What is internal respiration?
It is the process whereby oxygen is unloaded by the tissue capillaries and taken up by tissue cells, and reverse occurs for carbon dioxide.
Where is cilia and mucus found?
Trachea
Name the two types of cells that make up the alveoli.
- Type I
2. Type II
What does surfactant do?
It helps lower the surface tension in the alveoli, which allows them to re-inflate after exhalation, and prevents them from collapsing when we breath out.
What is it called when oxygen and carbon dioxide move between the alveoli and the blood?
Alveolar gas exchange
Where does oxygen diffuse from?
From the alveoli to the pulmonary venule.
Where does carbon dioxide diffuse from?
From the pulmonary arteriole to the alveoli.
