Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the functions of the respiratory system
Ventilation
Gaseous exchange (External and internal respiration)
Vocalization/Phonation
Olfaction
Immunity
Acid base balance
What two tracts in the respiratory system
Upper Respiratory Tract (URT)
Lower Respiratory Tract (LRT)
Explain what happens during Pulmonary Ventilation : Inhalation
Diaphragm Contracts
Intercostal Muscle Contract
Ribcage Elevates
Lung volume increases
Air pressure drops
Air drawn in via oral and nasal cavities
Explain what happens during Pulmonary Ventilation : Inhalation
Muscles Relax
Passive recoil
Volume decreases
Pressure increases
Air expelled out
Explain External Respiration
Gas exchange between lungs and blood capillaries
Oxygen bind haemoglobin in the red blood cells.
Oxygen bound to the haemoglobin is released supplying tissues with oxygen
Carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction.
Explain Internal Respiration
Also known as cellular respiration. Gas exchange between blood stream and body tissues. Oxygen bound to haemoglobin is released supplying tissues with oxygen . Carbon dioxide diffuses in opposite direction back to lungs to be exhaled.
What is phonation
Phonation is vocal sounds created during exhalation as air passes through the larynx (Voice Box) . Muscles control the movement of arytenoid cartilages. Vocal cords move and sound is created as air passes and vibrates over it.
What is the epiglottis
The epiglottis is found in the larynx and is there to protect from food or water going own the trachea into the lung
What is olfaction
The action of smelling. Chemicals in air bind to olfactory fibres in nasal cavity. Nervous system receptor on the cilia are activated. Series of signals are then stimulated resulting in the sense of smell
What is the trachea
The windpipe, transports air to and from lungs
10 - 12cm long
attached to larynx
Maintain open airway
What are the components of LRT (lower respiratory tract)
Trachea
bronchi
lungs
What is the Bronchi
The branch into lungs
Terminal Bronchi can constrict and relax to regulate airflow
What are the lungs
The lungs transport air to alveoli for gas exchange
Features of the Bronchiole
Thinner walls
No cartilage
Flexible
Able to constrict and relax
What is the Alveoli
Alveoli is made to produce Surfactant to prevent walls from sticking together. This allows smooth constrictions and relaxations in movement. Deoxygenated blood into alveoli, oxygenated blood leaves.
Air filled chambers for gas exchange
Grape like structures
Order or air entry in respiratory tract?
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
What are the main actions of muscles involved in ventilation on inspiration?
Diaphragm contracts and intercostal muscles contract
What are the main actions of muscles involved in ventilation on exhalation?
Diaphragm relaxes and intercostal muscles relax
How many lobes on each lung
Left lung two lobes
Right lung one lobe
Why is blood pumped around the body?
Delivers oxygen to the cells and removes carbon dioxide from those cells. White blood cells for immune system. Carries electrolytes. Blood is a transportation system.
What is gas exchange
Gas exchange occurs between alveolar walls and pulmonary capillaries.
De oxygenated blood is carried by the pulmonary vein
Oxygenated blood is carried by the pulmonary vein
What is passive diffusion
Passive diffusion happens when gas moves from high pressure to low pressure. Oxygen and carbon dioxide move into areas where there is less pressure.
What happens when blood passes through the alveolar?
When blood passes through the alveolar, the oxygen moves into the blood from the lungs as there is less pressure in the blood. the CO2 in the blood will then move into the alveolar air as there is more CO2 in the blood so it will move to the lungs. Gas will move from high pressure to low pressure.
What does the Aorta do?
Carry oxygenated blood throughout the whole body, diffusing oxygen into the tissues
Explain how the blood goes back through the body after the aorta diffuses oxygen into the tissues.
The blood goes back to the heart in the superior and inferior vena cava vein. Then at the right side of the heart, into pulmonary arteries, then into the lungs.
Difference between Anaerobic respiration and Aerobic Cellular respiration
Anaerobic : Oxygen is not present
Aerobic : Oxygen is present
Explain Aerobic Cellular Respiration
Glucose and Oxygen provide energy. Glucose is created by breaking down Carbs. Glucose turns into pyruvate. With some oxygen the pyruvate is oxygenated and it becomes Acetyl-Coa. The citric cycle then occurs which requires oxygen. Then it is moved to the inner mitochondrial membrane where the electron transport chain happens (Requiring oxygen). At the end we get adenosine triphosphate ATP (Energy)
Explain Anaerobic Cellular Respiration
Oxygen is not used, i.e when there is no more CO2 in body like after exercise, the body will use anaerobic respiration.
Glucose turns into lactic acid (+Little energy)
Involves the incomplete breakdown of glucose.
Waste product is lactic acid, rather than CO2
Results in cramps and fatigue
Only 5% of the energy is released compared to aerobic respiration
How do we get rid of C02
Water and CO2 are waste products of respiration
CO2 Diffuses back into the bloodstream at tissue capillaries. This forms carbonic acid which is unstable and quickly changes to hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions which are stable and can then be carried by red blood cells
What are chemoreceptors
Simply speaking, the chemoreceptors perform actions and send signals to the brain depending on the PH and oxygen levels
What are the Dorsal Respiratory Group?
The basic rhythm of respiration is that of quiet, restful breathing known as eupnea. Quiet breathing only requires the activity of the dorsal group which activates the diaphragm and the external intercostal muscles
What is the Ventral Respiratory group
When the metabolic need for oxygen increases, inspiration becomes more forceful and the neurons in the ventral group are activated to bring about forceful exhalation.
