respiratory physiology Flashcards

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1
Q

3 main processes of respiration

A

1) pulmonary in and out of lungs (breathing)
2) gas exchange (exchange of O2 and CO2)
3) transport (of CO2 and O2 in the blood)

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2
Q

pulmonary ventilation=

A

inhalation and exhalation

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3
Q

inhalation and exhalation is driven by?

A

pressure gradients (high pressure movement to low pressure)

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4
Q

during ventilation, direction of airflow is determined by the differences between?

A

atmospheric pressure vs. intrapulmonary pressure

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5
Q

atmospheric pressure is?

A

pressure exerted by air in atmosphere

760mmHg

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6
Q

intrapulmonary pressure is?

A

air pressure in lungs

-varies, changes with lung volume

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7
Q

what is boyles law?

A

if you decrease the volume containing a gas, the pressure will rise. increase volume, pressure will decrease.

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8
Q

what is inhalation?

A

expansion of thoracic cavity, the volume increases which creates lower pressure in the lungs.
-active process where external intercostals and the diaphragm contracts
pressure in lungs becomes 758mmHg which is enough to suck in the air!!

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9
Q

what is exhalation?

A

passive process during quick breathing (eupnea)

  • muscles relax and lungs recoil
  • air pushed out as lung volume decreases
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10
Q

what is forced breathing (hyperpnea)

A

active process where intercostals and abdominal muscles contract

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11
Q

what is surface tension?

A

fluid bond between pleural membranes that keep lungs “stuck” to the thoracic wall during ventilation
related to the property of water

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12
Q

what prevents the lungs from collapsing?

A

the pressure in pleural cavity is less than the pressure in the alveoli of the lungs (intrapleural pressure is 756mmHg) intrapulmonary pressure is 760mmHg

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13
Q

non-respiratory air movements

A

coughing, sneezing, crying, laughing, hiccups, yawn

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14
Q

factors affecting ventilation?

A
  1. airway resistance
  2. surface tension
  3. lung compliance
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15
Q

what is airway resistance?

A

friction along respiratory passages
-highest in bronchioles (small diameter)
more strenuous breathing

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16
Q

what is surface tension?

A

attraction between water molecules (polar bonds) that creates a tension at the surface

  • liquid film covers the alveolar walls.
  • must overcome surface tension to expand!
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17
Q

what is surfactant?

A

detergent-like secretion produced by type II alveolar septal cells
-reduces surface tension-> alveoli expand more easily

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18
Q

what is lung compliance?

A

compliance= ease of expansion
affected by-
amount of surfactant, elasticity of C.T, flexibility of ribcage, obesity

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19
Q

what is gas exchange?

A

external and internal respiration diffusing down pressure gradients

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20
Q

what is partial pressure?

A

concentration of gas expressed as a percentage of atmospheric pressure
-at sea level= 760mmHg

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21
Q

air= (what are the percentages of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide)

A
oxygen= 21%
nitrogen= 78.6%
co2= 0.4%
22
Q

pressure gradients driven diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide during gas exchange.. in order for these gases to diffuse, gases must?

A

dissolve in interstitial fluid and blood

23
Q

what is henrys law?

A

the amount of a particular gas in solution is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in the air.
SOOO.. gas molecules diffuse from alveoli into blood until equilibrium is established

24
Q

alveolar air is a mixture of inhaled and yet-to-be exhaled air so?

A

it has high CO2 and low O2 compared to atmosphere

25
Q

where is partial pressure of oxygen high?

A

in internal respiration in the pulmonary veins and systemic arteries

26
Q

where is partial pressure of oxygen low (carbon dioxide is higher)

A

in external respiration in the pulmonary artery and systemic veins

27
Q

factors that effect gas exchange?

A
  1. partial pressure gradients (differences in oxygen and co2 concentration driving gas exchange
  2. gas solubility (must dissolve in water for diffusion to occur)
  3. respiratory membrane (well designed to facilitate diffusion)
  4. ventilation perfusion coupling
28
Q

what is the respiratory membrane made of?

A

alveolar epithelium and capillary endothelium and fused basement membrane

29
Q

what is ventilation perfusion coupling?

A

blood flow is greatest around those alveoli with the highest PO2 levels
it is the regulation of bronchiole and blood vessel diameter to maximize gas exchange

30
Q

alveoli with high PO2..

A

associated bronchioles constrict to keep oxygen in and the associated arterioles dilate to maximize blood flow to these alveoli

31
Q

alveoli with high PCO2..

A

associated bronchioles dilate to exhale CO2, arterioles constrict to minimize blood flow to alveoli

32
Q

how are respiratory gases transported?

A

as dissolved co2 or o2
as ions
bound to transport protein hemoglobin

33
Q

how is oxygen transported?

A

1.5% of the time dissolved in plasma
98.5% bound to hemoglobin! oxyhemoglobin
HbH + O2 — HbO2 + H

34
Q

explain the cooperative binding and unloading of oxygen

A

hemoglobin tetramer (4 Fe) binds to O2 molecules (saturated hemoglobin)
when Hb binds 1, facilitates the binding of 3 more
when Hb unloads 1, facilitates unloading of 3 more
the shape of globin changes which alters the affinity of other globins in tetramer for O2

35
Q

factors affecting oxygen dissociation from hemoglobin

A
  1. partial pressure
  2. temp
  3. biphosphoglycerate
  4. pH
36
Q

partial pressure of oxygen

A

main determinant of whether Hb will pick up or release O2
high pO2 in lungs- loading of O2 onto Hb
low po2 in tissues- dissociated of O2 from Hb

37
Q

more oxygen is released from Hb in areas where..??

A

Po2 is low (steeper pressure gradient)

38
Q

temperature and oxygen dissociation?

A

increase temp. increase oxygen dissociation

39
Q

increase BPG?

A

increased biphosphoglycerate…increases oxygen dissociation which reduces affinity of Hb for O2
BPG is a product of glucose levels
BPG levels in RBC increase at high altitude, decrease when RBCS age

40
Q

effect of pH?

A

decreased pH= increased O2 dissociation

-O2 is unloaded in tissues where pH is lower because H= weakens the bond between Hb and O2

41
Q

what happens to oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve?

A

curve shifts to right at low pH= bohr effect

42
Q

how is carbon dioxide transported in blood?

A

CO2 gas in plasma- 7%
bound to hemoglobin (HbCO2)- 23%
bicarbonate ion- 70%

43
Q

when co2 is dissolved in H20 forms an acid (carbonic acid) which dissociates into bicarbonate ion and H+

A

H20 and CO2- H2CO3- HCO3- and H+

44
Q

what catalyzes the reaction of CO2 dissolved in H20 forming acid which dissociates into bicarbonate ion and H+

A

enzyme carbonic anhydrase found in RBCS

45
Q

what is DRG

A

dorsal respiratory group of neurons in the medulla that control inspiration during quiet breathing. innervates diaphragm and external intercostals

46
Q

what is VRG

A

ventral respiratory group of neurons in medulla which increases inspiration and expiration during forced breathing, thought to establish respiratory rhythm

47
Q

what is PRG

A

pontine respiratory group of neurons in pons.

apneustic and pneumotaxic centers can modify respiration in response to sensations from other areas

48
Q

respiratory centers mainly respond to ?

A

increased CO2

49
Q

central chemoreceptors in brain?

A

detect co2 by monitoring H+ in the CSF

50
Q

peripheral chemoreceptors?

A

in aortic arch and carotid artery detect O2 levels (hypoxia) in blood when really bad

51
Q

stretch receptors?

A

respond to changes in lung volume

52
Q

the chemoreceptors and peripheral chemoreceptors send signals to..

A

the respiratory centers in medulla and pons

  • respiratory muscles contract
  • increases ventilation
  • exhales more CO2 and inhales more O2