Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
Facilitate gas exchange between the body and external environment
Provide oxygen to the body by working with the cardiovascular system
What is the waste product of cellular metabolism?
Carbon dioxide
What is the pharynx?
Dividing point between the trachea and esophagus, where the throat senses the presence of food and triggers swallowing
What is the epiglottis?
Flap of cartilage in the pharynx that prevents food from entering the trachea
What is the trachea?
The tube that carries air from the mouth and nasal cavities to the lungs
What are bronchi?
Passages that carry air to the left and right lungs
Originates where the trachea splits
What are bronchioles?
The smaller passages formed from branching of the bronchi that carry air to the alveoli
What are alveoli?
Small sacs in the lungs that are the site of gas exchange, facilitated by walls only one cell layer thick
Overall pathway of the Respiratory System
Pharynx > larynx > trachea > bronchi > alveoli
What is the purpose of surfactant? Where is it found?
A detergent in the lungs that reduces surface tension to prevent lung collapse
-found in alveoli
What is the function of Cilia (in the respiratory tract)?
Hair like structures found on the cells of the respiratory tract that beat to move the mucus and other particles up and out of the lungs
Why is the left lung slightly smaller than the right lung?
-the heart in located on the left side of the body
How many lobes does the left and right lung have?
Left lobe: 2
Right lobe:3
What is the pleura of the lung?
A pair of tough membranes that surround the lungs
Where is pleural fluid found?
Found between the pleural membranes
Pathway of blood from heart to lung and back to heart
Right atrium > Pulmonary Artery carries Deoxygenated blood > lungs > capillaries surround alveoli (CO2 exchanged for O2 here) > O2 rich blood exits lungs > pulmonary vein > Left atrium > left ventricle > aorta > body wide circulation
What is the process of simple diffusion?
The movement of membrane permeable solutes down a concentration
The exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen at the alveoli relies on what kind of process?
Simple diffusion
What is a diffusion rate?
The speed of movement down a concentration gradient
Ventilation rate is controlled by which structure of the brain?
Medulla oblongata
-it monitors blood pH and carbon dioxide concentration in the blood
CO2 directly affects pH through what kind of system?
Bicarbonate blood buffering system
CO2 + H2O <->H2CO3 <-> H+ + HCO3-
When CO2 concentration is high in the blood, what occurs?
Equilibrium shifts to the right of the bicarbonate blood buffering system
-favors protons and bicarbonate
Increase in protons decreases pH of blood > Acidosis > increase ventilation rate
When CO2 concentration is low, what occurs?
Equilibrium is shifted in the bicarbonate blood buffering system
-favors CO2 and H2O
Decreases concentration of protons and Bicarbonate
-increase pH of blood >alkalosis > decrease in ventilation rate
What is negative pressure breathing?
Inhalation of air due to a decreased pressure in the lungs
Define total lung capacity
The maximum volume of air that moves during normal breathing
-approx 6L (adult male)
The total lung capacity can be divided into what volumes?
Vital capacity
Residual volume
What is the residual volume?
Amount of air that always resides within the lungs an functions to prevent lung collapse
What is the vital capacity? Can be divided into what volumes?
Total volume of air that can be exchanged through inhalation and exhalation
-further divided into tidal volume, inspiratory reserve, and expiratory reserve volume
What is tidal volume?
Amount of air inhaled and exhaled during normal breathing
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
The additional volume of air that can be inhaled following normal inhalation
What is expiratory reserve volume?
The additional volume of air that can be exhaled following normal exhalation
What factors can negatively impact lung function?
Genetic disorders
Environmental factors
Infection
What are some lung diseases that have a genetic component?
Cystic fibrosis
Surfactant insufficiency
Asthma
What is cystic fibrosis?
the production of thick mucus due to a mutation of a protein expressed in the respiratory tract
-leads to difficulty breathing and frequent lung infections
What is surfactant insufficiency? (At risk?)
Causes a difficulty in breathing due to a mutation in the surfactant proteins
-common in newborns causing respiratory distress
What is asthma? (causes?)
Characterized by the inflammation and subsequent narrowing of the airway that makes breathing difficult
-involves environmental triggers as well as genetic predisposition
What is emphysema? (Causes?)
Breakdown of the alveoli
-due to prolonged smoking and chemical exposure damaging the cilia. Can also cause inflammation and allergies
Symptoms of the influenza virus? (Cause?)
Coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fatigue
-caused by a coronavirus
Symptoms of tuberculosis (cause?)
Coughing up blood, weight loss, Chronic tuberculosis causes scarring of lungs
-caused by a myobacterium
Symptoms of walking pneumonia (cause?)
Mild coughing and headaches
-mycoplasma bacteria
