Respiratory System Flashcards

1
Q

State how emphysema, pneumonia and asthma affect the rate of gas exchange.

A

Emphysema: Occurs when the walls of the alveoli are damaged, causing small airways to collapse. Makes air flow hard as lungs stick together due to mucus, the alveoli are larger, increasing the SA:V, lung tissue becomes less elastic/stiff, reducing efficiency of gas exchange.
Pneumonia: Alveoli fill with fluid. This causes the mucus to decrease the SA:V, increasing the distance the gases need to travel, reducing efficiency of gas exchange.
Asthma: Particle matter in the air causes an inflammatory reaction in the lining of airways, narrowing them. Narrow airways reduce the flow of air into and out of the lungs, lowering the rate of gas exchange.

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2
Q

Explain how the cilia in the bronchioles assist in protecting the body.

A

When they move it helps move mucus with trapped pathogens. This allows the pathogens to be expelled.

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3
Q

How does the surface structure of the trachea help perform its function?

A
  • Is line with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.
  • Also contains goblet cells (produce mucus).
  • The mucus traps pathogens so the pseudo stratified columnar can remove them.
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4
Q

How does the surface structure of the alveolus help perform its function?

A
  • Line with a single layer of cells.
  • Moist
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5
Q

How does the surface structure of the nasal cavity help perform its function?

A
  • Pathway for air into the body.
  • Moistens and warms the air.
  • Filters they air with tiny hairs on the lining, they help trap foreign particles.
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6
Q

Describe the 5 features of the respiratory surface and why they are so important.

A
  • Large surface area: larger surface to allow for an increased diffusion rate.
  • Moist surface: allows gases to dissolve in water making diffusion easier.
  • Rich blood supply: Maintains the concentration gradient and gases are delivered more quickly and removed more quickly.
  • Thin wall (1 cell thick): allows gases to diffuse easier through the membrane.
  • High concentration gradient: The higher the concentration difference the faster the rate of diffusion.
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7
Q

How are oxygen and carbon dioxide gases exchanged within the lungs?

A
  • Oxygen: Oxygen dissolves in the moisture on the surface. There is a greater concentration inside of the alveolus than the capillaries, so the oxygen diffuses across the membrane into the capillaries.
  • Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide concentration is greater in the capillaries so CO2 diffuses across into the alveolus to be expired.
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8
Q

Explain how the relationship between gas volume and pressure causes inhalation to occur.

A

There need to be a lower pressure in your lungs than the pressure in the atmosphere to be able to inhale more gas, which increases the gas volume in your lungs.

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9
Q

Explain how the relationship between gas volume and pressure causes expiration to occur.

A

There need to be a higher pressure in your lungs than the pressure in the atmosphere to be able to exhale gas, which decreases the gas volume in your lungs.

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10
Q

Describe the movement of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood around the alveolus.

A
  • Oxygenated blood moves away from the alveolus,
  • Deoxygenated blood moves towards the alveolus.
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11
Q

Where are alveoli located?

A

Alveoli are located in the lungs attached to bronchioles.

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12
Q

Describe the gas concentration of alveoli and capillaries.

A

Alveoli have a higher O2 concentration that the capillaries. Capillaries have a higher CO2 concentration the alveoli.

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13
Q

Where does O2 diffuse into from the the alveoli.

A

The capillaries (bloodstream).

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14
Q

Where is air inhaled and exhaled?

A

Through the oral/nasal cavity.

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15
Q

Air high in ___ is inhaled.
Air high in ___ is exhaled.

A

O2
CO2

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16
Q

What is tidal volume?

A

The amount of air breathed in or out per normal breath

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17
Q

What is expiratory reserve volume?

A

The amount of air forcibly expired compared to the tidal volume.

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18
Q

What is vital capacity?

A

The maximum amount of air inspired after a maximum inhalation.

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19
Q

What is inspiratory reserve volume?

A

The amount of air forcibly inspired compared to the tidal volume.

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20
Q

What happens to the pressure in the lungs compared with the outside environment when inspiration occurs?

A
  • There is a higher pressure in the atmosphere, lower pressure in the lungs.
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21
Q

What happens to the pressure in the lungs compared with the outside environment when expiration occurs?

A
  • There is a higher pressure in the lungs, lower pressure in the atmosphere.
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22
Q

What happens to the lung volume when inspiration occurs?

A

The lung volume is larger.

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23
Q

What happens to the lung volume when expiration occurs?

A

The lung volume is reduced.

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24
Q

What happens to the diaphragm position when expiration occurs?

A

The diaphragm bulges.

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25
Q

What happens to the diaphragm position when inspiration occurs?

A

The diaphragm pulls down.

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26
Q

What happens to the intercostal muscle movement when inspiration occurs?

A

The intercostal muscles contract.

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27
Q

What happens to the intercostal muscle movement when expiration occurs?

A

The intercostal muscles relax.

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28
Q

What happens to the position of the rib cage when expiration occurs?

A

It contracts and moves down.

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29
Q

What happens to the position of the rib cage when inspiration occurs?

A

It expands and pulls up.

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30
Q

What is the layer of muscle located below the lungs?

A

The diaphragm.

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31
Q

What is the chemical reaction that uses oxygen?

A

Respiration

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32
Q

What are the tiniest blood vessels?

A

Capillaries

33
Q

What is inspiration?

A

The act of breathing in

34
Q

What is expiration?

A

The act of breathing out

35
Q

What is the function of the epiglottis in the respiratory system?

A

To stop food from entering the trachea when swallowing.

36
Q

How many alveoli are in each lung?

A

There are millions of alveoli in each lung

37
Q

Describe what happens to blood as it passes through active tissues?

A

It drops off oxygen and picks up carbon dioxide and water.

38
Q

Describe what happens to blood as it passes through the lungs?

A

It drops off carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen.

39
Q

Describe what happens as air passes through the lungs?

A

It picks up carbon dioxide and drops off oxygen.

40
Q

What are the two phases of breathing?

A

Inspiration and expiration

41
Q

What is the equation of cellular respiration?

A

C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
glucose + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water + energy (ATP)

42
Q

What is cellular respiration?

A

The chemical reaction where oxygen is taken into the blood stream.

43
Q

Describe how air moves into our lungs.

A
  • The muscles between the ribs contract and the diaphragm muscle contracts making the diaphragm move down.
  • This reduces the air pressure in the lungs causing air to rush in from the atmosphere.
44
Q

Describe how air moves out of our lungs.

A
  • The muscles between the ribs expand and the diaphragm relaxes and bulges.
  • This increases the air pressure inside the lungs so air rushes out.
45
Q

Describe the intake of oxygen through the respiratory system.

A
  • As air moves through the nose it is filtered and moistened.
  • It passes down the trachea and into the two bronchi, which lead to each lung.
  • Mucous and small hairs called cilia trap dust and pathogens to stop them going deep into the lungs.
  • The air ends up in tiny air sacs called alveoli, which are surrounded by tiny blood vessels called capillaries.
  • The oxygen gas passes into the blood stream through diffusion and is picked up by haemoglobin in red blood cells.
  • The carbon dioxide gas comes out of the blood and into the air in the alveoli.
  • The ‘used’ air is then exhaled.
46
Q

Can we control our breathing consciously as well as unconsciously?

A

Yes

47
Q

Describe what happens to the body when inspiration occurs.

A
  • The diaphragm contracts and pulls down (flattens).
  • Intercostal muscles contract and move the rib cage up and out.
  • Chest cavity expands.
  • Lungs move up and out.
  • Lung volume increases.
  • Pressure in lungs decrease.
  • Because of the lower pressure in the lungs than the atmosphere air flows in.
48
Q

Where are cilia located?

A

In the bronchioles

49
Q

Describe what happens to the body when expiration occurs.

A
  • The diaphragm relaxes and bulges.
  • Intercostal muscles relax and move the rib cage down and in.
  • Chest cavity relaxes.
  • Pleural membrane compresses lungs.
  • Lungs move down and in.
  • Lung volume decreases.
  • Pressure in lungs increase.
  • Because of the higher pressure in the lungs than the atmosphere air flows out.
50
Q

What are the 5 features of alveoli and capillaries that are important for gas exchange?

A
  1. Many alveoli = large SA:V for faster diffusion rate.
  2. Dense network of capillaries (highly vascular) = greater volume of blood which increase diffusion.
  3. Capillaries and alveoli are 1 cell thick = faster diffusion rate.
  4. Alveoli and capillary walls are moist = gases can dissolve in water for easier diffusion.
  5. Constant blood flow in capillaries = maintains the concentration gradient for diffusion. A higher concentration gradient means faster diffusion.
51
Q

What is the function of the oral and nasal cavity?

A

Intake of air

52
Q

What does the nasal cavity do to the air?

A

Filters, moistens and warm air.

53
Q

What is the function of the larynx?

A

Voice box (produces sound).

54
Q

What is the function of the trachea?

A

Carries air from nasal to chest cavity.

55
Q

What is important about the structure of the trachea?

A

Has rings of cartilage that keep the airways open.

56
Q

What is the function of the intercostal muscles?

A
  • Aid in breathing by contracting and relaxing.
  • Found between ribs.
57
Q

What is the function of the pleural membrane?

A

Covers the surface of the lungs.

58
Q

What is the function of the pleural cavity?

A
  • Contains pleural fluid.
  • Lines lungs and ribs
  • Secretes fluid to stop the lungs from to pleural cavity.
  • Fluid holds lungs against the inside of the chest wall and allows lungs to slide along when breathing.
59
Q

What is the function of the ribs?

A
  • Protects lungs
  • Aids in breathing
60
Q

Describe the right lung.

A
  • 3 lobes
  • Shorter
61
Q

Describe the left lung.

A
  • 2 lobes
  • Longer
  • Accommodates the heart
62
Q

What is the function of the bronchi?

A

Air passes through these towards the alveoli.

63
Q

What is the single form of bronchi?

A

Bronchus

64
Q

What is a bronchus?

A

Branch of the trachea

65
Q

What is the function of the diaphragm?

A
  • Aids breathing action
  • Contracts and relaxes
66
Q

What are bronchioles?

A

Small branches of bronchi.

67
Q

What is the function of the bronchioles?

A
  • Smallest end in alveoli
  • Deliver air to the alveoli.
68
Q

What is the pharynx?

A

The throat

69
Q

What is the function of the epiglottis?

A

Flap of tissue that closes off the trachea when breathing to stop food from entering the respiratory system.

70
Q

What is the function of alveoli?

A

Site of gas exchange.

71
Q

What is the function of the alveola sack?

A

Cluster of alveoli that provide surface for gas exchange.

72
Q

What is the function of the pulmonary venule?

A

Small vein that carries blood away from the alveoli to the heart.

73
Q

What is the function of the pulmonary arteriole?

A

Carries blood away from the heart to the alveoli.

74
Q

How is oxygen carried in the blood?

A
  • 97% of oxygen attaches to the haemoglobin protein in red blood cells to form oxyhaemoglobin.
  • 3% of oxygen is dissolved in blood plasma.
75
Q

How is carbon dioxide carried in the blood?

A
  • 60-70% of carbon dioxide forms a bicarbonate ion (HCO3) in blood plasma.
  • 20-30% of carbon dioxide attaches to the haemoglobin protein in red blood cells to form carbohaemoglobin.
  • 7-10% of carbon dioxide is dissolved in blood plasma.
76
Q

Describe the gas exchange process.

A
  • Occurs by diffusion.
  • Oxygen moves from the alveolus to the capillary.
  • Carbon dioxide moves from the capillary to the alveolus.
77
Q

Describe the concentration of O2 and CO2 in and out of the alveolus.

A
  • In the alveolus there is a high concentration of oxygen and low concentration of carbon dioxide.
  • Out of the alveolus there is a high concentration of carbon dioxide and low concentration of oxygen.
78
Q

Describe the flow of blood from the heart to the alveolus and back.

A

The pulmonary arteriole carries de-oxygenated blood away from the heart to the alveolus. Here gas exchange occurs and the blood becomes oxygenated. The pulmonary venule returns oxygenated blood back to the heart. It is then pumped to the cells in the body.

79
Q

Efficient gas exchange occurs due to a steep concentration gradient. Why is the gradient steep? (3 marks)

A
  • Heartbeat = constant flow of blood.
  • Ventilation of the lungs = constant breathing replaces oxygen and expels carbon dioxide.
  • Cellular respiration = uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide.