Respiratory Physiology

Question 1

3 main functions of respiratory system

Answer 1

1. air conduction
2. air filtration
3. exchange of gases aka respiration

Question 2

other functions of respiratory system

Answer 2

vocalization
sense of smell
pH regulation

Question 3

conduction portion of respiratory system

Answer 3

in order:

nostrils & nasal cavities 
pharynx
larynx
trachea
main/primary bronchi
bronchioles

Question 4

advantages of a shared food/air passage (3)

Answer 4

1. can still get oxygen if nasal passages are clogged
2. allows for relatively normal breathing while eating
3. permits more passage of air during exercise

Question 5

filtration portion of respiratory system

Answer 5

nostril hairs, goblet cells & their mucus, cilia

Question 6

respiratory portion of respiratory system

Answer 6

respiratory bronchioles & alveoli

Question 7

alveolar ventilation

Answer 7

mvmt of air in/out of alveoli

Question 8

steps of respiration

Answer 8

1. breathing (inspiration + expiration) aka ventilation
2. external respiration
3. internal respiration
4. aerobic cellular respiration

Question 9

concentration gradient of diffusion

Answer 9

direction of diffusion from areas of high concentration into areas of low concentration. allows for gas exchange

Question 10

incomplete ventilation

Answer 10

breathing = incomplete ventilation

air entering the lungs mixes with the reserve air still in the lungs. this helps conserve water & stabilize temperature

Question 11

inhalation physiology

Answer 11

1. rib cage lifts superiorly & anteriorly to open lungs
2. diaphragm contracts (flattening), which pulls lungs open
3. expansion of thoracic cavity & lungs –> decreased density of gases already in lungs
4. air pressure outside lungs > inside –> natural air flow (diffusion) into lungs

Question 12

exhalation physiology

Answer 12

1. rib cage lowers & diaphragm rises
2. this causes increased thoracic pressure
3. air pressure inside lungs > outside –> natural air flow (diffusion) out of lungs

Question 13

external respiration (CO2)

Answer 13

diffusion of CO2 from blood –> alveoli

atmospheric air has very little CO2
blood flowing into the capillaries is basically saturated with CO2
so, CO2 naturally diffuses from the blood into the alveoli (via capillaries) and is then exhaled

Question 14

external respiration (Oxygen)

Answer 14

diffusion of Oxygen from alveoli –> blood

atmospheric air = oxygen rich
blood flowing into the capillaries = oxygen poor
so, Oxygen naturally diffuses from the alveoli (via capillaries) into the blood

Question 15

role of hemoglobin in external respiration

Answer 15

hemoglobin assists w/natural diffusion bc oxygen in the blood mostly combines with hemoglobin to form oxyhemoglobin. this allows for each blood cell to carry more than 1 billion oxygen molecules from the alveoli to bodily tissues