The Respiratory System

Question 1

What are the stages of inspiration?

Answer 1

1. Diaphragm contracts and moves down
2. External intercostal muscles contract and pull the ribs up and out
3. This creates a larger volume
4. This reduces air pressure
5. Air is drawn into lungs

Question 2

Is inspiration an active or passive process?

Answer 2

Active process

Question 3

What are the stages of expiration?

Answer 3

1. Diaphragm relaxes and moves up
2. External intercostal muscles relax, meaning the ribs move down and in
3. Creating a smaller volume
4. Increasing air pressure
5. Air moves out of the lungs

Question 4

Is expiration an active or passive process?

Answer 4

Passive process

Question 5

What is tidal volume?

Answer 5

Volume of air inhaled OR exhaled per breath

Question 6

What is inspiratory reserve volume?

Answer 6

Volume of air that can be forcibly inspired after a normal breath

Question 7

What is expiratory reserve volume?

Answer 7

Volume of air that can be forcibly expired after a normal breath

Question 8

What is residual volume?

Answer 8

Volume of air remaining in lungs after maximal expiration

Question 9

What is vital capacity?

Answer 9

The volume of air you can forcible expire after maximal inhalation

Question 10

What happens to tidal volume during exercise?

Answer 10

Increases because we breathe more deeply

Question 11

What happens to inspiratory reserve volume during exercise?

Answer 11

Decreases because tidal volume had increased and eaten into these reserves

Question 12

What happens to expiratory reserve volume during exercise?

Answer 12

Decreases because tidal volume had increased and eaten into these reserves

Question 13

What happens to residual volume during exercise?

Answer 13

Stays the same to prevent lungs collapsing

Question 14

What is minute ventilation?

Answer 14

Volume of air breathed in per minute

Minute ventilation= tidal volume X breaths per minute

Question 15

How do we control breathing rate neurally and chemically during exercise?

Answer 15

1. Sympathetic system increase breathing rate
2. More carbon dioxide in blood
3. Detected by chemoreceptors
4. Impulse sent to medulla
5. Impulse sent to diaphragm and intercostal muscles to work faster

Proprioceptors and baroreceptors are also involved

Question 16

How do we control breathing rate hormonally during exercise?

Answer 16

Adrenaline is released for anticipatory rise, which increases breathing rate before exercise

Question 17

What is the impact of smoking on the respiratory system?

Answer 17

Irritates the trachea and bronchi

Swelling and narrowing of airways causes breathlessness

Damages the cilia so mucus doesn’t get pushed out of lungs (smokers cough)

Damages alveoli

Reduces oxygen carrying capacity as carbon monoxide joins hb more readily than oxygen