The respiratory system Flashcards
there are 4
main functions of the respiratory system(RS)
Ecxhange of O2 and CO2 between air and blood
Keeping body pH stable
Protection from harmful substances Vocalisation
how does the RS maintain a stable pH
The respiratory system regulates body pH by controlling the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) through breathing. Exhalation removes excess CO2, preventing the buildup of acidic compounds
how does the RS protect us from harmful substances
acts as a protective barrier by filtering and moistening inhaled air in the nasal passages, trapping harmful particles and microorganisms.
there are 4
components of the URS(upper respiratory system )
Mouth
Nasal cavity
Pharynx
Larynx
what happens to the air when it enters the URS
becomes warm, wet, and filtered
there are 4
components of the LRS
The trachea
Two primary bronchi
Branches of bronchi (22 divisions)
The lungs
the main types of cells found in the alveoli
alveolar I cells
alveolar II cells
Alveolar machrophages
function of surfactants
lowering surface tension at the air–liquid interface and thus preventing alveolar collapse during expiration
functions of alveolar I cells
The thin structure of type I cells allows for efficient gas exchange between the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries
functions of alveolar II cells
Type II cells can act as stem cells, capable of differentiating into type I cells and replenishing the alveolar epithelium
produce surfactants
pleura
Double walled closed sac separating each lung from the thoracic wall
function of the pleura
The pleura provides a protective covering for the lungs, reducing friction between the lungs and the chest wall during breathing movements
The pleura’s lubricating fluid between its layers allows the lungs to expand and contract smoothly during inhalation and exhalation
The pleura helps maintain the position of the lungs within the chest cavity, ensuring proper lung function and preventing collapse
function of the pleural fluid
Keeps membranes together and provides lubrication
there are 2
divisions of the pleura
Parietal pleura - attached to the wall of the thoracic cage
Visceral pleura - attached to the lungs
think about the pulmonary artery
pulmonary arterioles carry oxygenated blood, true or false?
false, they carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
pulmonary venules carry oxygenated blood, true or false?
true
ideal gas equation
PV= nRT
state Boyle’s law
the pressure and volume of a gas in a system are inversely related
function of the spirometer
used to measure the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs.
It is commonly employed in pulmonary function tests to assess respiratory health and diagnose various respiratory conditions
describe the movements of the diaphragm during inhalation and exhalation
during inhalation, the diaphragm contracts, and the chest expands
during exhalation, it relaxes and chest contracts
what happens to intrapleural pressure during inhalation, and recoil
it becomes more negative during inhalation
returns to the initial value during recoil
trans-pulmonary pressure
refers to the pressure difference between the alveoli (the small air sacs in the lungs) and the pleural cavity
there are 3
state the pressure types in respiration
interpleural
interpulmonary
trans-pulmonary
when is intrapleural pressure negative
Intrapleural pressure is negative under normal conditions during the entire respiratory cycle, both during inhalation and exhalation
the essence of the negative interpleural pressure
This negative intrapleural pressure is essential for maintaining lung inflation and preventing lung collapse.
anatomical dead space
Anatomical dead space refers to the volume of air in the respiratory system that does not participate in gas exchange. It includes the air in the conducting airways, such as the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles, where no exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs with the blood
the volume of air that takes part in gas exchange in known as
the tidal volume
name three examples of pathological conditions that cause hypoxia
asthma
pulmonary edema
ephysema
factors that influence gas exchange between the alveoli and blood
Air composition
Ventilation properties(e.g. resistance)
Perfusion
Properties of diffusion between Alveoli and blood
perfusion
refers to the process through which blood is delivered to tissues, providing them with oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products
during respiration, ventilation and perfusion are matched, true or false
true
what happens is CO2 is not removed from the body
pH disturbance (acidosis)
High CO2 levels can cause problems to nervous system function
cyanosis
a bluish discoloration of the skin, occurs when methaemoglobin levels rise, reducing the blood’s ability to transport oxygen
what does elevated methaemoglobin levels cause
cyanosis
enzyme that catalyses the conversion of CO2 to carbonic acid
carbonic anhydrase
name 3 reasons for measuring lung capacity
Preventive Health Screening
Diagnosis and Monitoring
Assessment of Respiratory Health
its Fe2+ in normal haemoglobin
which ion are the haem groups bound to in methaemoglobin
Fe3+
