respiratory system key questions

Question 1

What are the anatomical and functional divisions of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

-upper respiratory system: nose to pharynx
-lower respiratory system: larynx down to alveoli

-conduction zone (air moving in)
-respiratory zone (gas exchange)

Question 2

What are the major functions of the respiratory system?

Answer 2

-move air in and out of the lungs
-sense of smell
-sound production (voice box)
-gas exchange at blood-air barrier
-acid-base balance of blood is maintained (carbonic anhydrase)
-mucous lining the epithelia in the respiratory tract, traps foreign particles

Question 3

what are the components of respiratory system and their main functions

Answer 3

-nasal cavity: nose hair-filters matter
irregular bones, turbulent air, makes stays longer, warms up, humidity
-pharynx: acts as passageway for air, digestive function
-larynx: voice box, decides what goes into windpipe, trachea, esophagus
-trachea: offers mechanical support, smooth muscle trachealis
-bronchus
-bronchioles
-lungs: gas exchange

Question 4

Describe the path a oxygen molecule follows from the atmospheric air to the alveolar sac

Answer 4

-nasal cavity
- pharynx
-larynx
-trachea
-bronchus
-bronchioles
-lungs (alveolar sac)

Question 5

How does gas exchange happen across the blood-air barrier

Answer 5

Diffusion

Question 6

What are the differences between the left and right lung

Answer 6

-number of lobes (right has 3 left has 2)
-number of fishers (right has 2left has 1)
-shape (right is wider/shorter to accommodate liver) left is thinner/taller to accommodate heart

Question 7

What are the factors influencing inspiration and expiration

Answer 7

Boyles law
-pressure exerted by gas in contained space depends on volume of space (box and balls)

Question 8

Two types of muscles leading to inspiration

Answer 8

-intercostal muscles (between the ribs)
-diaphragm
Muscle contraction leads to inspiration

Question 9

What are the factors influencing lung compliance

Answer 9

(ease at which it expands)
-negative intrapleural pressure
-elastic recoil of the thoracic wall

Question 10

What is the composition of air (proportions of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor) in the atmosphere?

Answer 10

-nitrogen 79%
-oxygen 21%
-water vapor 0.5%
-carbon dioxide 0.04%

Question 11

Does the alveolar sac have the same composition of air?

Answer 11

No
-residual air remaining in alveoli
-due to gas exchange

Question 12

What is daltons law

Answer 12

total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the partial pressures of its components

Question 13

how can you use daltons law to calculate partial pressure of oxygen

Answer 13

take total air pressure and multiply by fraction of total

Question 14

what is ficks law and what factors does it say impairs diffusion

Answer 14

-explains factors that influence the diffusion of gas
-surface area of alveoli
-partial pressure differences
-greater solubility and smaller molecular weight
-thickness of barrier where diffusion takes place

Question 15

what is more soluble
oxygen or carbon dioxide

Answer 15

carbon dioxide

Question 16

what is henrys law
why is it important in the alveolus

Answer 16

-a gas dissolving in a liquid is going to depend on the partial pressure of that gas in the air above the liquid
-in alveolar the partial pressures match to arterial blood

Question 17

what are the differences between Hb and myoglobin O2 saturation curves

Answer 17

-the structures are different
-number of subunits
myoglobin single subunit
hemoglobin has multiple subunits

Question 18

what is meant by the cooperative binding of O2 to hemoglobin

Answer 18

as more oxygen is available more hb will bind

Question 19

what are the factors which increase or decrease Hb binding O2

Answer 19

-structure of hemoglobin creating higher affinity

Question 20

How do changes in tempature, CO2, BPG, pH cause a left or ight shift in the O2 dissociation curve?
CRUCIALLLLLL??/?????

Answer 20

-high temp/CO2 levels, low pH (exercising) will lead to a rightward shift
-BPG when binds to hemoglobin will cause rightward shift

Question 21

What is carbonic anhydrase?
Where is it found in the blood?
Why is it important?

Answer 21

-catalyzes carbon dioxide and water combining to form carbonic acid which dissociates hydrogen ions and bicarbonate
-found in red blood cells
-maintains blood pH

Question 22

How is CO2 transported from tissues to lungs?

Answer 22

-dissolved in blood plasma
-bind directly to hemoglobin
-converted to bicarbonate by carbonic anhydrase

Question 23

How is O2 transported from the lungs to the tissues

Answer 23

-mainly by binding to hemoglobin
-small portion dissolved in blood plasma

Question 24

what is the difference between the chloride shift and reverse chloride shift

Answer 24

-chloride shift, chloride enters red blood cell
-reverse chloride shift is chloride leaving the red blood cell

Question 25

why is the Bohr effect important for respiratory function

Answer 25

takes place in tissues down below in bowels of body
-why hemoglobin is giving up its oxygen

Question 26

why is the haldane effect important for respiratory function

Answer 26

takes place higher up in lungs
-why hemoglobin is having oxygen bind to it, low concentration of carbon dioxide

Question 27

how are the various gas laws related to the functioning of the respiratory system

Answer 27

-Boyles: inspiration
-daltons: how much oxygen is available depending on the partial pressure
-Ficks: why oxygen is going to diffuse across the blood-air barrier
-henrys: how much of oxygen will dissolve in blood plasma
(same order in which oxygen is flowing through)

Question 28

how does the brain control the rate of respiration?

Answer 28

chemoreceptors in CNS that monitor pH spinal fluid
while peripheral chemoreceptors monitor oxygen and CO2 levels in blood vessels
-send signals to the brain stem
-intercostal muscles activated by intercostal nerves
-diaphragm controlled by phrenic nerve