Respiratory System Flashcards
What does the respiratory system consist of?
Nasal Cavity
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
What are the two main functions of the respiratory system?
Pulmonary Ventilation - the inspiration (breathing in) and expiration of air
Gaseous Exchange:
a. external respiration - the movement of oxygen into blood stream and CO2 into lungs
b. internal respiration - the release of oxygen to respiring cells for energy production and collection of waste products
In what order does air travel through the respiratory system?
- Air is drawn into the nasal cavity through the nose and travels down the pharynx, larynx and trachea
- The trachea, then divides into left and right bronchi as they enter the lung cavity.
- The bronchi subdivide into smaller bronchioles and end in alveolar ducts, this is the entrance for air to move into the alveoli
What are the alveoli?
clusters of tiny air sacs covered in a dense network of capillaries, which together serve as the external site for gaseous exchange
in what two ways is oxygen transported?
- carried with haemoglobin in red blood cells. (97%) Hb + O2 = HbO2
- Carried within blood plasma (3%)
in what 3 ways is carbon dioxide transported?
- Dissolved in water and carried as carbonic acid (70%)
- Carried with haemoglobin (23%). Hb + CO2 = HbCO2
- Dissolved in blood plasma (7%)
What is the definition of breathing rate?
The number of breaths taken per minute
What is the definition of tidal volume?
The amount of air inspired or expired per breath (ml)
what is the definition of minute ventilation?
The volume of air inspired or expired per minute
what is vital capacity?
The maximum amount of air exhaled following a maximum inhalation
How do you calculate minute ventilation?
VE = TV x F
what are the average resting values of tidal volume, breathing rate and minute ventilation?
f- 12-15 breaths per minute
TV- 500ml
VE- 6-7.5 l/min
what would be the difference between the resting values of a trained and an untrained athlete?
A trained athlete would have less breaths per minute as I don’t have to work as hard to meet the demands of oxygen. This would mean overall they have a lower resting minute ventilation.
what is breathing rates response to exercise?
-The breathing rate increases in proportion to exercise intensity
-increases to around 50 to 60 breaths per minute
-Breathing rate can plateau once demand is met in submaximal exercise
what is tidal volumes response to exercise?
-tidal volume increases in line with exercise intensity at submaximal intensities, until approximately 3L
-Tidal volume, reaches a plateau during submaximal intensity, because increased breathing rate towards maximal intensity is does not allow enough time and requires too much muscular effort.
what is minute ventilation’s response to exercise?
-VE increases in line with exercise intensity
-VE can plateau during sustained submaximal intensity exercise, as you reach a comfortable state
-During maximum intensity, VE does not plateau as exercise intensity continues to increase as there is a growing demand for oxygen and waste removal, which would be a must continually strive to meet. TV will plateau and f will continue to increase
-during recovery, there is a rapid decrease, followed by a slower decrease to resting levels