Respiratory Study Questions Flashcards
What are the key functions of the respiratory system?
- Gas exchange: oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal
- Regulation of pH of body fluids: CO2 + H2O ←→ H+ + HCO3=
- Temperature control
- Voice production
What are the two key respiratory gases?
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
What is partial pressure?
The amount of pressure exerted by a particular gas in a mixture
-Influenced by the # of molecules
What is a gas exchange membrane? How do gases get to the exchange membrane? How do they cross it?
- Layers of tissues that separates the internal tissues from the external environment – “breathing organ”
- Reach the membrane by convection transport (ventilation and circulation)
- Cross membrane via diffusion
In mammals and birds, what membranes do gases need to cross?
Mammals - Alveolar membrane and Capillary membrane
Birds - No alveoli, so parabronchi is site of gas exchange
Mvmt between parabronchi and air capillary by diffusion
What factors control the rate of gas diffusion?
- Membrane surface area
- Difference in partial pressures
- Distance btwn 2 partial pressures (membrane thickness)
- The gas, the temperature, the phase, membrane permeability
Why is it advantageous to have an expansive, but very thin gas exchange membrane?
Thinner membrane = less distance to travel therefor faster exchange.
Expansive = more area to pass through so more area to exchange.
List the parts of the respiratory system: (10)
Conducting Airways: 1. Nasal passages 2. Pharynx 3. Larynx 4. Trachea 5. Mucous cells 6. Bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli Part of the lungs Alveoli Other Components: -Diaphragm -Intercostal muscles (external and internal) -Pulmonary artery -Pulmonary vein
Pharynx
Cavity at the back of nasal passages and the mouth
Larynx
Regulates air flow, expels foreign objects, contains vocal cords
Trachea
Long tube
Mucous cells _______ while ciliated cells ___________.
Mucous - lubricate
Ciliated - remove impurities
Alveoli
Gas exchange surface, thin walled, excellent blood supply
Pulmonary artery takes _________.
Blood to lungs
Pulmonary vein takes _________.
Blood from lungs to the heart
What are the major muscle groups involved in breathing in mammals? In birds?
Breathing animals: -External and internal intercostals -Abdominal muscles Birds: -Internal intercostals -Thoracic muscles
Describe how air moves through the airways in mammals.
- O2 diffuses across the alveolar membrane and capillary endothelium
- High PO2 (air in alveoli) to low PO2 (blood in capillaries)
- CO2 moves in opposite direction
Conducting vs. Respiratory airways
Conducting: Airway up until gas exchange (i.ei. nasal cavity, air sacs)
Respiratory: Site of gas exchange (i.e. alveoli, parabronchi)