Respiratory System (Pearson MyLab & Mastering A&P) Flashcards
The major nonelastic source of resistance to air flow in the respiratory passageways is ________.
(One answer)
- air pressure
- friction
- surfactant
- surface tension
surfactant
The most powerful respiratory stimulus for breathing in a healthy person is ________.
(One answer)
- alkalosis
- acidosis
- loss of oxygen in tissues
- increase of carbon dioxide
increase of carbon dioxide
Which respiratory-associated muscles would contract or relax during forced expiration, for example blowing up a balloon?
(One answer)
- diaphragm would contract, internal intercostals would relax
- internal intercostals and abdominal muscles would contract
- external intercostals would contract and diaphragm would relax
- diaphragm would contract, external intercostals would relax
internal intercostals and abdominal muscles would contract
Inspiration occurs when the _______ is less than the _______.
(One answer)
- tidal volume; vital capacity
- thoracic cavity volume; lung volume
- intrapleural pressure; transpulmonary pressure
- intrapulmonary pressure; atmospheric pressure
intrapleural pressure; transpulmonary pressure
Which of the following maintains the patency (openness) of the trachea?
(One answer)
- surfactant production
- surface tension of water
- C-shaped cartilage rings
- pseudostratified ciliated epithelium
C-shaped cartilage rings
Which of the following is not a physical factor that influences pulmonary ventilation?
(One answer)
- airway resistance
- partial pressure of oxygen in the air
- alveolar surface tension
- lung compliance
partial pressure of oxygen in the air
Which of the following is true regarding normal quiet expiration of air?
(One answer)
- It requires contraction of abdominal wall muscles.
- It is a passive process that depends on the recoil of elastic fibers that were stretched during inspiration.
- It depends on the complete lack of surface tension on the alveolar wall
- It is driven by increased blood CO, levels
It is a passive process that depends on the recoil of elastic fibers that were stretched during inspiration.
The nose serves all of the following functions EXCEPT ______.
(One answer)
- warming and humidifying the air
- as a passageway for air movement
- cleansing the air
- as the direct initiator of the cough reflex
as the direct initiator of the cough reflex
Select the correct statement about the physical factors influencing pulmonary ventilation.
(One answer)
- A lung that is less elastic will require less muscle action to perform adequate ventilation.
- As alveolar surface tension increases, additional muscle action will be required.
- A decrease in compliance causes an increase in ventilation.
- Surfactant helps increase alveolar surface tension.
As alveolar surface tension increases, additional muscle action will be required.
Which structure is lined with simple squamous epithelium?
(One answer)
- trachea
- alveolus
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
alveolus
Which of the following is responsible for holding the lungs to the thorax wall?
(One answer)
- the smooth muscles of the lung
- the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles alone
- surface tension from pleural fluid and negative pressure in the pleural cavity
- the visceral pleurae and the changing volume of the lungs
surface tension from pleural fluid and negative pressure in the pleural cavity
Which of the following is an organ shared by the respiratory system and the digestive system?
(One answer)
- trachea
- pharynx
- larynx
- esophagus
pharynx
Which of the choices below describes the forces that act to pull the lungs away from the thorax wall and thus collapse the lungs?
(One answer)
- the natural tendency for the lungs to recoil and transpulmonary pressures
- compliance and transpulmonary pressures
- the natural tendency for the lungs to recoil and the surface tension of the alveolar fluid
- compliance and the surface tension of the alveolar fluid
the natural tendency for the lungs to recoil and the surface tension of the alveolar fluid
The left lung differs from the right in that the left lung has ______.
(One answer)
- a wider and more vertical primary bronchus
- three lobes
- a cardiac notch
- an oblique fissure
a cardiac notch
Which of the following provide the greatest surface area for gas exchange?
(One answer)
- alveolar ducts
- respiratory bronchioles
- alveoli
- alveolar sacs
alveoli
Which of the following determines lung compliance?
(One answer)
- alveolar surface tension
- airway opening
- flexibility of the thoracic cage
- muscles of inspiration
alveolar surface tension
Most inspired particles such as dust fail to reach the lungs because of the _______.
(One answer)
- porous structure of turbinate bones
- abundant blood supply to nasal mucosa
- action of the epiglottis
- ciliated mucous lining in the nose
ciliated mucous lining in the nose
Air moves out of the lungs when the pressure inside the lungs is _______.
(One answer)
- less than the pressure in the atmosphere
- equal to the pressure in the atmosphere
- greater than the intra-alveolar pressure
- greater than the pressure in the atmosphere
greater than the pressure in the atmosphere
Which of the following stimuli is the most powerful respiratory stimulant to increase respiration?
(One answer)
- rising carbon dioxide levels
- reduced oxygen levels
- arterial pH
- an increase in blood pH
rising carbon dioxide levels
The indentation on the medial surface of each lung through which pulmonary and systemic blood vessels, bronchi, lymphatic vessels, and nerves enter and leave is called the ________.
(One answer)
- apex
- cardiac notch
- base
- hilum
hilum
_______ pressure, the difference between the intrapulmonary and intrapleural pressures, prevents the lungs from collapsing.
(One answer)
- Atmospheric
- Transpulmonary
- Intra-alveolar
- Transthoracic
Transpulmonary
Which blood vessels supply deoxygenated systemic blood to the alveoli?
(One answer)
- bronchial arteries
- pulmonary arteries
- bronchial veins
- pulmonary veins
pulmonary arteries
Which of the following observations would only be found in the right lung?
(One answer)
- a horizontal fissure
- two lobes
- an oblique fissure
- a cardiac notch
a horizontal fissure
What is the most powerful respiratory stimulant in a healthy person?
(One answer)
- oxygen needs of cells
- arterial blood pH
- arterial blood oxygen level
- arterial blood carbon dioxide level
arterial blood carbon dioxide level
During inspiration, air moves into the lungs because __________.
(One answer)
- contraction of the internal intercostal muscles decreases the thoracic cavity volume
- contraction of the diaphragm decreases the volume of the pleural cavity
- abdominal muscles contract
- the volume of the lungs decreases with inspiration
- the gas pressure in the lungs becomes lower than the outside pressure as the diaphragm contracts
the gas pressure in the lungs becomes lower than the outside pressure as the diaphragm contracts
Rationale: Boyle’s law states that volume changes lead to pressure changes.
Alveolar ventilation rate is __________.
(One answer)
- the movement of dissolved gases from the blood to the alveoli
- the movement of air into and out of the alveoli during a particular time
- the utilization of oxygen by alveolar cells to support metabolism
- the movement of dissolved gases from the alveoli to the blood
- less than the pulmonary ventilation rate because of dead space
the movement of air into and out of the alveoli during a particular time
Rationale: AVR = breaths per minute × (TV – dead space)
Hemoglobin has a tendency to release oxygen where __________.
(One answer)
- temperature is lower
- partial pressures of carbon dioxide are lower
- pH is more alkaline
- pH is more acidic
- partial pressures of oxygen are higher
pH is more acidic
Rationale: The Bohr effect states that CO2 loading and lower pH enhance O2 release.
In the alveoli, the partial pressure of oxygen is __________.
(One answer)
- much higher than the PO2 of systemic arterial blood
- lower than the PO2 of systemic venous blood
- equal to that in the tissues
- approximately 104 millimeters of mercury
- equal to the PO2 of systemic venous blood
approximately 104 millimeters of mercury
Rationale: The partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli is approximately104 millimeters of mercury, which is about 35% less than that of the atmospheric PO2.
Most of the carbon dioxide transported by the blood is __________.
(One answer)
- bound to hemoglobin
- bound to the same protein as oxygen
- dissolved in plasma
- carried by white blood cells
- converted to bicarbonate ions and transported in plasma
converted to bicarbonate ions and transported in plasma
Rationale: Seventy percent of CO2 is converted to bicarbonate ions and transported in plasma.
The elastic cartilage that shields the opening to the larynx during swallowing is the __________.
(One answer)
- corniculate cartilage
- thyroid cartilage
- cricoid cartilage
- epiglottis
- cuneiform cartilage
epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis shields the opening to the larynx during swallowing. This prevents aspiration of food and drink.
The movement of air into and out of the lungs is called __________.
(One answer)
- pulmonary ventilation
- external respiration
- cellular respiration
- oxidative phosphorylation
- internal respiration
pulmonary ventilation
Rationale: Both inspiration and expiration are components of pulmonary ventilation.
Which tissue lines the trachea?
(One answer)
- stratified squamous epithelium
- areolar connective tissue
- hyaline cartilage
- pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- simple squamous epithelium
pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Rationale: The cilia of pseudostratified columnar epithelium move mucus to the pharynx.
Of the respiratory measurements listed, which one normally has the greatest value?
(One answer)
- tidal volume
- expiratory reserve volume
- vital capacity
- residual volume
- inspiratory capacity
vital capacity
Rationale: Vital capacity is the maximum amount of air that can be expired after a maximum inspiratory event.
Which respiratory structure has the smallest diameter?
(One answer)
- secondary bronchi
- pharynx
- trachea
- bronchiole
- larynx
bronchiole
Rationale: The bronchioles are air passages under 1 millimeter in diameter.
Involuntary hyperventilation during an anxiety attack can cause a person to become faint because of __________.
(One answer)
- increased temperature caused by increased intercostal muscle activity
- the effects of increased O2 levels in the blood and the consequent constriction of cerebral blood vessels
- increased CO2 levels caused by an increase in cellular respiration, reducing brain perfusion and causing ischemia
- decreased O2 levels in the blood, causing cells to lack adequate ATP synthesis
- lowered CO2 levels in the blood and consequent constriction of cerebral blood vessels
lowered CO2 levels in the blood and consequent constriction of cerebral blood vessels
Rationale: Lowered CO2 levels in the blood cause cerebral blood vessels to constrict, reducing brain perfusion and causing ischemia.
Which of the following gases has NO effect in the blood until hyperbaric conditions occur, such as in scuba diving, and can form bubbles in blood when an individual surfaces too quickly?
(One answer)
- nitrogen
- carbon monoxide
- oxygen
- carbon dioxide
- helium
nitrogen
Rationale: Nitrogen makes up approximately 79% of atmospheric gas and has no effect at normal atmospheric pressures; however, hyperbaric conditions can cause nitrogen to form bubbles in blood when an individual surfaces too quickly.
Which of the following terms describes the increase in depth and force of breathing that occurs during vigorous exercise?
(One answer)
- hyperpnea
- hypoxia
- hypercapnia
- anoxia
- hyperventilation
hyperpnea
Rationale: During vigorous exercise, breathing becomes deeper and more vigorous, but the respiratory rate might not change significantly. This is called hyperpnea.
Approximately 20% of carbon dioxide is transported in the blood as __________.
(One answer)
- oxyhemoglobin
- carbaminohemoglobin
- dissolved gas in the plasma
- hydrogen ions
- bicarbonate ions
carbaminohemoglobin
Rationale: Just over 20% of carbon dioxide binds chemically to the amino acids of hemoglobin to form carbaminohemoglobin.
Which of the following control(s) the respiratory rate?
(One answer)
- alveolar sacs
- cerebral cortex
- pons
- medulla
- spinal cord
medulla
Rationale: The VRG in the medulla generates the basic respiratory rhythm.
Which of the following is NOT a function of the conducting zone of the respiratory tract?
(One answer)
- cleansing of air
- transport of air
- mucous secretion
- warming of air
- gas exchange
gas exchange
Rationale: The walls of the conducting zone are too thick to allow gas exchange.
Which of the following statements about voice production is INCORRECT?
(One answer)
- The more tense the vocal cords, the higher the pitch.
- The larynx enlarges in males during puberty.
- Loudness of voice depends on the size of the vocal cords.
- The glottis is wide when deep tones are produced.
Loudness of voice depends on the size of the vocal cords.
Rationale: Loudness of voice depends on the force with which the air stream rushes over the vocal cords.
Which of the following is NOT a function of the trachealis muscle?
(One answer)
- It allows the esophagus to expand anteriorly when food is swallowed.
- It decreases its diameter during expiration to expel air with greater force.
- It prevents the trachea from collapsing and keeps it patent despite the pressure changes that take place during breathing.
- It helps expel mucus during coughing.
It prevents the trachea from collapsing and keeps it patent despite the pressure changes that take place during breathing.
Rationale: The C-shaped cartilage rings in the trachea wall, not the trachealis muscle, prevent the trachea from collapsing and keeps it patent despite the pressure changes that take place during breathing.
What enzyme, which is ideally located in the lung capillary membrane of the pulmonary circuit, acts on material in the blood, thereby activating an important blood pressure hormone?
(One answer)
- angiotensin converting enzyme
- renin
- interferon
- prostaglandin
angiotensin converting enzyme
Rationale: The angiotensin converting enzyme is located in the lung capillary membrane and acts on material in the blood, thereby activating an important blood pressure hormone.
What type of pressure keeps the air spaces in the lungs open?
(One answer)
- atmospheric
- intrapulmonary
- intrapleural
- transpulmonary
transpulmonary
Rationale: Transpulmonary pressure keeps the air spaces in the lungs open.
Which of the following would NOT cause atelectasis?
(One answer)
- when intrapleural pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure
- a chest wound that perforates the pleura and allows air into the pleural cavity
- plugging of bronchioles
- loss of lung elasticity
loss of lung elasticity
Rationale:Loss of lung elasticity is a contributing factor in emphysema, not atelectasis.
Airway resistance is insignificant in relationship to gas flow because __________.
(One answer)
- the airways branch extensively as they get smaller, resulting in a huge total cross-sectional area
- the airway resistance is not related to the diameter of the conducting tubes in the respiratory system
- the blood flow is very high in comparison to the viscosity of air
- the gas flow stops in the medium-sized bronchioles and diffusion takes over; therefore, airway resistance is no longer an issue
the airways branch extensively as they get smaller, resulting in a huge total cross-sectional area
Rationale: The extensive branching of the bronchioles minimizes airway resistance.
The transpulmonary pressure is the difference between the __________ and the __________ pressure.
(One asnwer)
- intrapulmonary; intrapleural
- intrapleural; alveolar
- atmospheric; intrapulmonary
- atmospheric; intrapleural
intrapulmonary; intrapleural
Rationale: The transpulmonary pressure is the difference between the intrapulmonary and the intrapleural pressure.
Which of the following conditions would NOT decrease the total respiratory compliance?
(One answer)
- calcification of the coastal cartilages
- thorax deformities
- paralysis of the intercostal muscles
- increase in lung compliance
increase in lung compliance
Rationale: An increase in lung compliance would not lead to a decrease in the total respiratory compliance.
Which substance, produced by type II alveolar cells, decreases alveolar surface tension?
(One answer)
- surfactant
- alveolar pores
- macrophages
- elastic fibers
surfactant
Rationale: A detergent-like complex of lipids and proteins, surfactant decreases the cohesiveness of water.
All of the following would be caused by breathing excessively high concentrations of oxygen for a long period EXCEPT __________.
(One answer)
- emphysema
- coma
- the production of huge amounts of free radicals
- oxygen toxicity
emphysema
Rationale: Breathing excessively high concentrations of oxygen for a long period would lead to CNS disturbances and could lead to death. Emphysema is caused by factors such as smoking and hereditary, which lead to a loss of lung elasticity.
Which of the following nonrespiratory movements is caused by irritation of the nasal cavity?
(One answer)
- sneezing
- hiccups
- crying
- coughing
sneezing
Rationale: Sneezes are nonrespiratory movements that are caused by the presence of an irritant in the nasal cavity.R
The dorsal respiratory group __________.
(One answer)
- excites the diaphragm via the phrenic nerve
- ends at the pons-medullary junction
- is located near the root of cranial nerve IX
- is a rhythm-generating center
is located near the root of cranial nerve IX
Rationale: The dorsal respiratory group is located dorsally at the root of cranial nerve IX.
The pontine respiratory group is responsible for all of the following functions EXCEPT __________.
(One answer)
- regulating and modifying the activity of the medullary neurons
- smoothing out the transition from inspiration to expiration
- stimulating the contraction of the diaphragm
- causing apneustic breathing if it is damaged
stimulating the contraction of the diaphragm
Rationale: This is a function of the ventral respiratory group.
Which of the following would NOT be found in a “blue bloater”?
(One answer)
- cyanosis
- weight loss
- pulmonary hypertension
- right-sided heart failure
weight loss
Rationale: Blue bloaters do not usually lose weight.
