respiratory system Flashcards
describe the passage of air
nose > larynx > trachea > bronchi > bronchioles > alveoli
What is diffusion?
movement of gas molecules from an area of high conc (high partial pressure) to an area of low conc (low partial pressure) against the concentration gradient
What is gaseous exchange ?
movement of oxygen from the air into the blood
CO2 from the blood to the air
Name use partial pressure rather than concentration when describing diffusion?
We can quantify partial pressure
Name 2 features/ adaptations of alveoli that increase effectiveness
1 cell thick - short diffusion pathway
Large surface area - for incr efficiency
Define inspiration / expiration
The act of breathing IN / OUT
explain how the ribs and lungs work together to breathe
- lungs are attached to the ribcage by pulmonary pleura
- ribs expand via contraction of intercoastal muscles
- ribs move upwards and outwards (lungs inflate)
- as intercostal muscles relax the ribcage returns to its resting position (lungs deflate)
what muscles contract during inspiration?
diaphragm
intercostal muscles
how do we inhale?
-intercostal muscles contract - pulling the ribcage up and out
-diaphragm contracts to deepen the chest cavity
-air pressure in the lungs decreases = air is sucked into the lungs from the atmosphere
What is an active process? give an example
inspiration
when muscles are actively working (contracting)
what 3 muscles cause the expansion of the thoracic cavity ?
sternocleidomastoid (raises strernum)
scalene
pectoralis minor
what happens to muscles during expiration at rest
diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax
how do we exhale?
-intercostal muscles relax- pulling the ribcage up and out
-diaphragm relaxes - to reduce size of the chest cavity
-air pressure in the lungs increases = air is forced out of the lungs to the atmosphere through trachea
What is an passive process? give an example
expiration at rest
when muscles relax (are not working)
What kind of process is expiration during exercise?
Active
explain how expiration during exercise is an active process
The internal intercostal muscles contract to pull ribcage inwards and downwards (forcing air out of lungs)
abdominals contract helping to push diaphragm upwards
- these contractions result in a more RAPID expulsion of air from the thoracic cavity
Tidal Volume
what happens to it during exercise ?
the volume of air breathed in or out per breath
increases
Inspiratory reserve Volume
what happens to it during exercise ?
maximal volume of air forcibly inspired in addition to tidal volume (after normal breath)
Decrease
Expiratory reserve Volume
what happens to it during exercise ?
maximal volume of air forcibly expired in addition to tidal volume (after normal breath)
Decrease
Vital capacity
What happens to it during exercise ?
Maximal amount of air exhaled after maximal inhalation
stays the same
Residual volume
what happens to it during exercise ?
amount of air in the lungs after maximal expiration
Stays the same
Total Lung capacity
what happens to it during exercise ?
Vital capacity + residual volume
stays the same
Breathing rate
what happens to it during exercise ?
The number of breaths per minute
Increase
❗Define tidal volume AND minute ventilation (2)
TV- air in/out per breath
MV - vol air breathed in/out per minute TV x BR
❗Explain how the cyclists increase in minute ventilation allows them to maintain performance throughout the race (3)
Incr oxygen exchange
Incr oxygen to muscles
More aerobic respiration
Less lactic acid
Incr CO2 removal
What is a spirometer?
A sealed chamber through a mouthpiece that measures the volume of air breathed in and out
