The respiratory system

Question 1

What body parts make up the upper respiratory tract?

Answer 1

-nose
-nasal cavity
-pharynx

Question 2

What body parts make up the lower respiratory tract?

Answer 2

-larynx
-trachea
-bronchi
-lungs

Question 3

What is the branching of bronchial tree?

Answer 3

-trachea
-main bronchi
-lobar bronchi
-segmental bronchi
-bronchioles
-terminal bronchioles

Question 4

What is the branching of the microscopic airway tree?

Answer 4

-respiratory bronchioles
-alveolar ducts
-alveolar sacs
-alveoli

Question 5

What is surfactant and what is its function?

Answer 5

-a liquid which coates the alveoli which reduces surface tension (so the alveoli doesn’t collapse)

Question 6

What is meant by the term partial pressure?

Answer 6

The pressure of a specific gas in a mixture of gases

Question 7

In what direction does O2 and CO2 move in in both external and internal respiration?

Answer 7

Move from areas of high partial pressure to areas of low partial pressure

Question 8

What is external respiration? (and what else is it known as)

Answer 8

-pulmonary gas exchange
-the exchange of gases between alveolar air and pulmonary blood capillaries

Question 9

What is internal respiration? (and what else is it known as)

Answer 9

-systemic gas exchange
-the exchange of gases between systemic tissue capillaries and systemic tissue cells

Question 10

How are the respiratory gases transported?

Answer 10

-in the blood between the lungs and body tissues

Question 11

What percentage of blood oxygen is bound to haemoglobin in red blood cells?

Answer 11

98.5%

Question 12

What 4 things affect the association of oxygen and haemoglobin?

Answer 12

-PO2
-pH
-temperature
-PCO2

Question 13

What 3 ways is carbon dioxide transported around the body (and what percentage)?

Answer 13

-7% dissolved in plasma
-23% combines with the globin of haemoglobin
-70% converted to bicarbonate ions (HCO3-)

Question 14

What are the 2 areas that the respiratory centre can be divided into?

Answer 14

-the medullary respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata
-the pontine respiratory group in the pons

Question 15

What does the inspiratory area set?

Answer 15

The basic rhythm of respiration

Question 16

Give examples of factors that may modify respiration

Answer 16

-cortical influence
-chemoreceptors
-limbic system stimulation
-proprioceptor stimulation
-temperature
-pain
-irritation of airways
-the inflation reflex (stretch receptors)

Question 17

Explain the process of normal quiet inhalation when the Dorsal respiratory group is active

Answer 17

-Diaphragm contracts and external intercostal muscles contract during their most active phase
-Ribcage moves upwards and outwards
-Pressure decreases inside the lungs to below atmospheric pressure, drawing air in from the environment

Question 18

Explain the process of normal quiet exhalation when the Dorsal respiratory group is inactive

Answer 18

-Diaphragm relaxes and external intercostal muscles becomes less active and relax, followed by elastic recoil of lungs
-Ribcage is pulled downwards and inwards
-Pressure increases inside the lung to above atmospheric pressure, forcing air out into the environment

Question 19

Explain the process of forceful inhalation

Answer 19

-Dorsal respiratory group (DRG) activates the ventral respiratory group (VRG)
-Diaphragm contracts and external intercostal muscles contract during their most active stage
-Accessory muscles of inhalation contract
=forceful inhalation

Question 20

Explain the process of forceful exhalation

Answer 20

-Ventral respiratory group causes accessory muscles of exhalation to contract
=forceful exhalation

Question 21

What is the function of ciliated epithelium in the lungs?

Answer 21

Small hair-like structures that provides a synchronised waft to move mucus away from the lungs keeping them clean

Question 22

What is the main anatomical difference between the right and left lung?

Answer 22

The right lung is larger then the left, and has 3 lobes (the superior, middle and interior) whereas the left lung is smaller and only has 2 lobes (superior and interior)

Question 23

What fraction of air is not used in gas exchange and is ‘dead space’?

Answer 23

one third

Question 24

What is the parietal pleura layer of the lungs?

Answer 24

The outer layer that attaches to the chest wall

Question 25

What is the visceral pleura layer of the lungs?

Answer 25

The inner layer that covers the lungs, blood vessels, nerves, and bronchi