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HSC: Anatomy and Physiology > Respiratory System > Flashcards

Respiratory System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Larynx?

A

It connects the back of the nose and the trachea. Also known as the voice box because it contains muscles and ligaments that form vocal chords

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2
Q

Why is the nasal cavity lined with hairs?

A

Traps dust, pathogens & pollen

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3
Q

What do goblet cells do?

A

Produce mucus which traps unwanted substances. The mucus also moistens the air inhaled.

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4
Q

Role of the epiglottis

A

It is a flap of cartilage behind the tongue which prevents food from entering the trachea

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5
Q

What is the pharynx

A

Connects the nasal cavity to the trachea

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6
Q

Structure and function of the trachea

A

Made up of C-shaped cartilage (this is so food can still pass in the oesophagus). It supports the trachea structurally to prevent collapse.

Has ciliated epithelium to trap unwanted substances

connects the pharynx to the lungs

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7
Q

Structure and function of Bronchi

A

smaller in diameter than trachea

c-shaped cartilage

branch from trachea to bronchioles

contain mucus

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8
Q

Structure of bronchioles

A

smaller in diameter compared to bronchi.
connects bronchi to alveoli

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9
Q

Structure and function of alveoli

A

Air sacs at the bottom of bronchioles

they have a large surface area

they are moist

they have thin walls (1 cell thick)

excellent blood supply

elastic fibres to withstand pressure

where gas exchange occurs

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10
Q

Role of diaphragm

A

Muscle that separates the chest from abdomen. Contracts and relaxes to push lungs up and down/ in and out

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11
Q

What are the 3 main processes in the respiratory system

A

Pulmonary ventilation

Gaseous exchange

Cellular respiration

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12
Q

What is pulmonary ventilation

A

breathing air into and out of the lungs

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13
Q

What is gaseous exchange

A

The diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide into and out of the blood stream

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14
Q

What is cellular respiration

A

the process where oxygen and glucose make energy/ATP in cells

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15
Q

Explain what happens in the respiratory system during inspiration

A

Diaphragm: Contracts + flattens

Lungs: Inflate, volume increases, pressure decreases

External intercostal muscles: contract
Internal muscles: relax

Rib cage: Upwards and outwards

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16
Q

Explain what happens in the respiratory system during expiration

A

Diaphragm: relaxes

Lungs: deflate, volume decreases, pressure increases

External intercostal muscles: relax
Internal intercostal muscles: contract

Rib cage: Moves downwards and inwards

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17
Q

What is the pleural membrane

A

two layers of thin membrane.

moist and slippery

contain pleural fluid

prevents friction as the lungs move

If the space between the membranes is punctured the lung on that side will not inflate

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18
Q

What is the role of the pleural fluid

A

Lubricates the surface of the lungs allowing the layers of membrane to slide over each other.

Allows the lungs to move easily within the chest cavity

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19
Q

How are the alveoli adapted for gaseous exchange

A

walls are 1 cell thick = short diffusion pathway

surrounded by capillaries = provides concentration gradient

large surface area = large amount of gaseous exchange can take place

Moist = allows oxygen to dissolve before diffusing through alveoli and capillary walls

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20
Q

What is meant by diffusion gradients?

A

Diffusion: movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration

particles diffuse down a concentration gradient

capillaries: lower concentration of oxygen than alveoli

so oxygen diffuses from high concentration (alveoli) to low concentrations (blood stream)

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21
Q

What does ATP stand for

A

Adenosine Triphosphate

22
Q

Where does cellular respiration take place

A

Mitochondria

23
Q

What are the two types of respiration inside cells

A

Aerobic - needs oxygen
Anaerobic - does not need oxygen

24
Q

What substrates are required for aerobic respiration

A

Glucose and oxygen

25
What is produced during aerobic respiration
32 ATP molecules carbon dioxide water
26
What does anaerobic respiration require ?
glucose
27
What does anaerobic respiration produce
Lactate and 2 ATP
28
What is glycolysis
Process in the cytoplasm that breaks down glucose into pyruvate
29
How many ATP are generated during glycolysis?
2
30
How many ATP are generated during the electron transport chain?
32
31
How many ATP are generated during the Krebs cycle?
2
32
What happens during inspiration?
external Intercostal muscles contract = ribcage up & out (external intercostal relax) Diaphragm contracts & flattens Thoracic cavity increases in volume + volume inside lungs increases Pressure inside lungs falls below atmospheric pressure so air is drawn in
33
What happens during expiration?
external Intercostal muscles relax so ribcage returns to normal (internal intercostal contract) Diaphragm relaxes and returns to dome shape Thoracic cavity gets smaller, so does the volume of air inside the lungs Pressure inside lungs increases above atmospheric pressure so air moved out of the lungs
34
Role of the intercostal muscles
To draw air into and out of the lungs Brain sends nervous messages to the accessory muscles Ribcage is attached to spin = contraction of external muscles = ribcage spring up and out
35
Exam Question "The organ of the body which adds oxygen to the blood is the lungs...Describe how this happens" [6]
1. Gas exchange happens at the alveoli 2. Air entering alveoli has high concentrations of oxygen 3. Oxygen dissolves in thin moist layer 4. Movement occurs due to concentration gradient 5. Diffuses across the alveolus and into the capillary 6. Oxygen attaches to haemoglobin in RBC
36
Exam Question "Identify two purposes of gas exchange" [2]
1. To obtain oxygen for aerobic respiration and production of ATP 2. To prevent acidic carbon dioxide from building up in the blood and preventing cell activity
37
Differences between breathing and respiring
breathing is a physical process whereas respiring is a biochemical process During breathing no energy is released, in respiration energy in the form of ATP is released There are no enzymes used in breathing but there is in respiration Breathing is confined to certain organs but respiration happens in all cells in the body.
38
Why do we need respiration?
Synthesising large molecules Pumping molecules or ions across membranes by active transport Moving muscle fibres during contraction
39
Overview of aerobic respiration
Pyruvate from glycolysis enters mitochondrial matrix via active transport Pyruvate is broken down into carbon dioxide and water A large amount of ATP is produced (36 molecules)
40
Stage 1A: Glycolysis
Cytoplasm + no oxygen Glucose (6C) gets split into two smaller pyruvate molecules (3C) ATP and NAD are made Net yield of Two ATP
41
Stage 1B: The Link Reaction
Carbon is removed from pyruvate (decarboxylation) = acetate Acetate is oxidised (removal of hydrogen) NAD molecules accept the hydrogen forming NADH Acetyl group binds with coenzyme causing acetyl coenzyme A
42
Stage 2: Krebs cycle
Mitochondrial matrix Each complete cycle results in the breakdown of an acetyl group Carbon dioxide is produced 32 ATP produced NADH & FADH2
43
Stage 3: Electron Transport Chain
Cristae of mitochondria & requires oxygen Uses hydrogen atoms collected by the coenzymes Hydrogen atoms split into hydrogen ions and electrons High energy electrons are used to make ATP Energy is released as electrons pass through a series of carriers At the end of the ETC electrons join hydrogen ions and oxygen to form water
44
Key points of anaerobic respiration
Less efficient Happens during exercise when oxygen is not readily available No oxygen means there's no final receptor of electrons do Krebs and ETC do not happen Lactic acid is poisonous and builds up in muscles causing fatigue and cramp "oxygen debt" = continue to breathe deeply after exercise for a short period of time Lactic acid converted back to glucose by the liver but this requires oxygen
45
Exam Question: "Outline the role of oxygen in providing the cells with energy" [6]
1. Used in oxidative phosphorylation 2.Oxygen accepts electrons at the end of ETC 3. also accepts hydrogen ions to form water 4. Allows ATP production 5. Allows a high yield of ATP from glucose in respiration 6. Needed for aerobic respiration
46
What is asthma?
A chronic lung disease which is caused by the inflammation of bronchi. It was be worsened/ triggered by contact with allergens. This makes the airways narrow because the muscles around them tighten.
47
Biological causes of asthma
Smoking Dust Allergens such as pollen Respiratory infections Physical activity Cold air
48
Lifestyle changes/ impacts with asthma.
Do not smoke + avoid socialising with other smokers Pollen: Keep windows closed during summer Dust: Clean house regularly Air pollution: not going out in smog warnings or in congested traffic Pet hairs: Avoid pets Do not go out in the cold
49
Biological Causes of emphysema
Smoking Chemical fumes Respiratory infections
50
Impact of emphysema
Destruction of alveoli Less surface area for gas exchange Less oxygen obtained Lack of energy Immobility & wheelchair needs One story house needed Oxygen cylinder to help with breathing Requirement of more home help
51
Biological cause of cystic fibrosis
A defective gene
52
impact of cystic fibrosis
Mucus is sticker & thicker than usual Problems with breathing because of mucus blockages Chest infections as pathogens get trapped in airways Lack of oxygen due to impaired gaseous exchange

HSC: Anatomy and Physiology (6 decks)

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