respiratory system (wk9)

Question 1

what are the functions of the respiratory system (5)?

Answer 1

1. provides extensive gas exchange surface area between air and circulating blood
2. moves air to and from exchange surface of lungs
3. protects surfaces from outside environment and moistens air
4. produces sounds
5. olfactory sense

Question 2

what are the roles of the key structures of the respiratory system?

Answer 2

move oxygen, clean out wastes

nose,
- warming, moistening and filtering air
- olfaction
modifying speech vibration

nasal hairs

• particle filtration system
• part of defence system

Question 3

what is the role of the C- Shaped cartilage in the trachea

Answer 3

c- shaped rings provide support

• prevents tracheal wall collapsing during inhalation
• allows food safe pass thru oesophagus

Question 4

what are the roles of the cells of the respiratory zone

Answer 4

immunological and biochemical
mucous - moistening
cilia on mucous flicking and moving substances off apical cell surface

Question 5

what are the roles of the surfactant?

Answer 5

creates a superficial coating over a thin layer of water on the alveolar surfaces

Question 6

what are the factors that govern diffusion?

Answer 6

the area of the membrane

the difference in concentration or partial pressure

Question 7

what is the processes of respiration?

Answer 7

pulmonary ventilation (breathing)

external - all process involved exchanging oxygen and CO2 with interstitial fluids and external environment

internal
- cellular respiration, uptake of oxygen and CO2 individual cells

Question 8

what is the physical law that drives pulmonary ventilation?

Answer 8

Boyles law
- pressure inversely proportional to volume
pressure gradient

Question 9

what is the function of the pleura?

Answer 9

enclose and protect each lung

- attached to wall of thoracic cavity

Question 10

Describe the factors that affect pulmonary ventilation (surface tension, compliance, elastance, and airway resistance)?

Answer 10

lung compliance
- how much force required to get lungs working
- overcoming elastane, and forcing thoracic cage out
elastane
- how lungs rebound, due to elastic fibres and surface tension
surface tension alveolar fluid
- surfactant reduces surface tension of water
- low tension increases compliance and decreases elastence
- lipid layer reduces tension

airway resistance

• airflow inversely proportional to resistance
• primary determinant of resistance is radius conducting airway

Question 11

what are the differences between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases?

Answer 11

obstructive

• characterised by difficulty to expire
• emphysema, asthma, bronchitis

restrictive

• difficulty to inspire
• respiratory distress syndrome, lung fibrosis

Question 12

what is the relationship among lung volumes and capacities?

Answer 12

4 lung volumes, 4 capacities
- volume, amount needed to do an action
capacity, maximum amount possible whilst doing activity.

Question 13

what is the relationship between Respiratory minute ventilation and, anatomic dead space and alveolar respiration?

Answer 13

respiratory minute volume (or pulmonary ventilation), amount of air moved into and out of lung per minute

• fresh air does not participate in gas exchange
• only roughly 70% fresh air reaches alveoli (dead space)

alveolar ventilation, relative rate and depth of breathing determining efficiency of alveolar ventilation.