Respiratory Structure & Function Flashcards
Lecture 8
When we lose weight, where does it go?
Most of it expels through air (CO2)
Why is the majority of weight loss attributed to CO₂ during respiration?
because it is released as waste
What are the major components of the respiratory system, and what is the primary function of each?
Why is cartilage present in the trachea and bronchi but absent in bronchioles and alveoli?
What are the conducting airways, and why are they not involved in gas exchange?
How do bronchioles and alveoli contribute to respiratory efficiency?
What are alveoli, and why are they the key site for gas exchange?
What structural adaptations make alveoli efficient for O₂ and CO₂ exchange?
What is Boyle’s Law, and how does it relate to inspiration and expiration?
How does the pressure-volume relationship enable air to flow into and out of the lungs?
Describe the mechanical changes that occur in the diaphragm and intercostal muscles during inspiration.
Why does air flow into the lungs when lung pressure drops below atmospheric pressure?
How does expiration differ during rest and exercise?
Why do we primarily breathe through our nose at rest, and why does this change during exercise?
What are the advantages of nose breathing over mouth breathing?
Define Tidal Volume, Vital Capacity, and Residual Volume
How do Inspiratory Capacity (IC) and Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) relate to other volumes?
Why is it important to have residual air left in the lungs after exhalation?
How does body position (standing vs. lying down) affect lung volumes and capacities?
How do you calculate Minute Ventilation (VE) at rest and during exercise?
How is alveolar ventilation (VA) different from minute ventilation, and how is it calculated?
How do obstructive disorders like asthma and emphysema affect FEV1 and FVC?
Why is the FEV1/FVC ratio reduced in obstructive disorders but increased in restrictive disorders?
How does pulmonary fibrosis affect lung elasticity and lung volumes?
What is anatomical dead space, and why does it not participate in gas exchange?
How does dead space affect alveolar ventilation?
How does minute ventilation change as exercise intensity increases?
What is the ventilatory threshold, and why does ventilation spike at this point?
Why does the ventilatory threshold signify the switch from aerobic to anaerobic energy production?
What are the pulmonary and systemic circuits, and how do they differ in function and pressure?
Why is the left ventricle’s wall thicker than the right ventricle’s?
How do valves in veins prevent backflow, and what happens when they deform?
What role do muscular and respiratory pumps play in returning blood to the heart?
Trace the pathway of electrical conduction in the heart starting from the SA node.
Why is there a 0.1-second delay at the AV node?
How does ventricular contraction differ from atrial contraction, and why does it start from the bottom up?
What does the P-wave, QRS complex, and T-wave represent in an ECG?
How are electrical intervals and segments used to assess cardiac function?
What is the difference between atrial and ventricular fibrillation?
Why is ventricular fibrillation life-threatening, while atrial fibrillation is not?
What factors make arrhythmias more likely to occur during exercise?
What are tachycardia and bradycardia, and how are they defined in terms of resting heart rate?
What are systolic and diastolic pressures, and how do they change during exercise?
Why does increased systolic pressure lead to a higher pulse during exercise?
How does hemoglobin in red blood cells transport oxygen and carbon dioxide?
What is the Bohr Effect, and how does it affect oxygen release in tissues with high CO₂ or low pH?
How does blood doping artificially increase RBC count, and why does it pose health risks?
How does partial pressure drive the diffusion of O₂ and CO₂ during gas exchange?
What structural adaptations in alveoli and capillaries optimize this process?
Why is most oxygen transported bound to hemoglobin rather than dissolved in plasma?
How does hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen change with pH, CO₂ levels, and temperature?
Practice calculating pressure changes during inspiration and expiration.
How would Boyle’s Law apply if atmospheric pressure changes (e.g., at high altitudes)?
Calculate VE and VA for different activity levels (rest vs. exercise).
How would changes in anatomical dead space affect alveolar ventilation?
Identify abnormalities in sample ECG tracings and determine their potential effects on heart function.
Why is surface area important in the respiratory system, particularly in the bronchi and alveoli?
How do bronchioles regulate airflow without cartilage support?
What structural adaptations in the diaphragm allow it to perform its role during breathing?
How do changes in thoracic cavity pressure differ between normal breathing and exercise?
How does mouth breathing during exercise affect airflow resistance and gas exchange compared to nasal breathing?
How do lung volumes and capacities change with age, disease, or fitness level?
Why do functional residual capacity and tidal volume decrease in the supine position?
How does the thickness of the respiratory membrane affect the rate of gas exchange in alveoli?
Why is the partial pressure of O₂ and CO₂ critical for gas diffusion, and how does exercise alter these gradients?
How does high altitude affect alveolar gas exchange and oxygen transport?
What physiological adaptations occur in the respiratory system during long-term aerobic exercise?
Why is alveolar ventilation more critical than minute ventilation during exercise?
How does the delay at the AV node contribute to efficient cardiac function?
Why does blood flow to skeletal muscles increase during exercise, and how is blood flow maintained to other vital organs like the brain?
How do valves in veins help prevent venous pooling during prolonged standing?
How would a patient’s ECG change during atrial fibrillation versus ventricular fibrillation?
What are the risks associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and how can muscle contraction mitigate this?
How do blood doping and high RBC counts affect oxygen transport and cardiovascular health?
How do respiratory and cardiovascular systems work together to meet increased oxygen demands during exercise?
Why does oxygen delivery to tissues decrease in conditions with low pH or high CO₂ concentrations (Bohr effect)?
How does lung compliance affect the work of breathing in restrictive versus obstructive disorders?
How does emphysema affect the structural integrity of alveoli and overall gas exchange efficiency?
Why does pulmonary fibrosis decrease both FEV1 and FVC but maintain an elevated FEV1/FVC ratio?
How does sleep apnea impact gas exchange and respiratory mechanics during rest?
What physiological mechanism prevents the lungs from collapsing at the end of expiration?
