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the respiratory system Flashcards

1
Q

what is the main function of the respiratory system

A

transports oxygen from the air we breath to our blood stream via structures in the lungs.

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2
Q

describe the passage of air

A

nasal/oral cavity
pharynx
larynx
trachea
bronchus
bronchi
bronchioles
alveoli

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3
Q

how are gases exchanged

A

by diffusion - the movement of particles from areas of high to low concentration down the concentration gradient

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4
Q

what happens to O2 and CO2 in the respiratory system?

A

O2 enters the lungs and is diffused into the blood via the alveoli. 97% binds to the Haemoglobin, forming oxyhaemoglobin, in RBC and is carried in the blood stream. when it reaches the working muscle the oxygen dissociates from the haemoglobin to the muscles for aerobic energy production.
CO2 is a waste product of aerobic energy systems and diffuses into the blood and forms carbonic acid (CO2 + H2O from plasma) it travels back to the lungs where it is exhaled

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5
Q

what is haemoglobin role in the transport of oxygen

A

haemoglobin is a protein found in RBC and binds to O2 (forming oxyhaemoglobin) and transports O2 around the body. it has a high affinity to O2.
O2 dissociates form the haemoglobin when it reaches the working muscles to meet thee demand for oxygen.

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6
Q

what is myoglobins role in the transport of oxygen

A

it is a protein found in the muscle cell which stores o2 and releases it to the mitochondria when oxygen levels are low e.g. during moderate/intense exercise.
it has a higher affinity to oxygen than haemoglobin.

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7
Q

why is more myoglobin beneficial to a athlete

A

more myoglobin means that more O2 can be stored in the working muscles. this leads to more O2 being released to the mitochondria so more ATP is replenished. this means that the athlete can sustain an higher intensity for longer and can stay in their aerobic zone. that can also push their anaerobic threshold, delaying OBLA and reserve their anaerobic stores (PC and muscle glycogen) for another time (e.g. final 100m in a 400/800 m run)

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8
Q

describe the structure of the lungs

A

the lungs are in the thoracic cavity, protected by the ribcage. they are separated from the abdomen by the diaphragm (a muscle that can contract and relax)
the right lung is slightly bigger than the left, in order to make room for the heart.

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9
Q

what are the alveoli

A

tiny sacs where gas exchange take place in the lungs

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10
Q

how are the alveoli adapted to get the most efficient gas exchange

A

large surface area - more area for diffusion
thin membrane - 1 cell thick - shorter diffusion distance
moist surface - helps gases dissolve and diffuse
rich blood supply - dense capillary network allows a constant blood flow to exchange O2 and CO2
elastic fibres - allows them to stretch during inhalation and recoil during exhalation

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11
Q

what are the mechanics of breathing

A

air is diffused into the lungs and moves from high to low pressure. the greater the pressure difference the faster the air moves in.

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12
Q

what happens during inhalation

A

the intercostals and diaphragm contract to expand the chest cavity. the diaphragm flattens down and the intercostal muscles force the ribcage up and out. this increases in size, decreases the pressure, forcing air from the environment (higher pressure) into the lungs

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13
Q

what happens when we exhale

A

the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax and return to their resting state, this reduces the size of the thoracic cavity, increasing the pressure inside and forces the air out of the lungs.

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14
Q

what is tidal volume

A

the total volume of air breathed in or out per breath

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15
Q

What is the resting tidal volume and how does it change during exercise

A

0.5 L
increases during exercise

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16
Q

what is minute ventillation

A

the volume of air breathed in or out per minute

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17
Q

what is the resting minute ventilation volume and how does it change during exercise

A

6L
large increase

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18
Q

how is minute ventilation calculated

A

number od breaths per minute x tidal volume
e.g:
12x0.5=6L/minute
(could be asked to calculate this in exam so need to remember that there are 1000ml in an L)

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19
Q

what is inspiratory reserve volume

A

the volume of air that can be forcibly inspired after a normal breath

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20
Q

what is the resting inspiratory reserve volume and how does it change during exercise

A

3.1 L
decreases during exercise

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21
Q

what is expiratory reserve volume

A

the volume of air that can be forcibly expired after a normal breath

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22
Q

what is the resting expiratory reserve volume and how does it change during exercise

A

1.2 L
slight decrease

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23
Q

what is residual volume

A

the volume of air that remains in the lungs after a maximum expiration

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24
Q

what is the resting residual volume and how does it change during exercise

A

1.2L
no change

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25
Q

what is vital capacity

A

the volume of air forcibly expired after a maximum inspiration in 1 breath

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26
Q

what is the resting vital capacity and how does it change during exercise

A

4.8L
slight decrease

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27
Q

how to calculate vital capacity

A

tidal volume+ERV+IRV

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28
Q

what is total lung volume

A

vital capacity + residual volume
the entire volume of air that the lungs can hold

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29
Q

what is the resting total long volume and how does it change during exercise

A

6L
slight decrease

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30
Q

why does TV and BR increase to a certain point

A

they increase in order to get more O2 in and CO2 out however once breathing frequency reaches a certain speed/rate, there isn’t enough time to properly fill the lungs and this causes TV to decrease slightly

31
Q

what is a spirometer trace

A

a graphical representation produced by a spirometer (a device used to measure lung functions. it records the volume a person inhales and exhales over time and is used for insights into respiratory health e.g. asthma

32
Q

how does submaximal exercise effect minute ventilation

A

-slight increase called anticipatory rise due to the secretion of adrenaline stimulating the fight or flight response, preparing the body for exercise
-the there is a sharp increase after exercise starts as the performer is working anaerobically initially, so that the lungs can meet the demand for oxygen at the working muscles.
- then there is a plateau as the lungs can keep up with the demand for oxygen and clearance of any waste products - this is steady state exercise
-after exercise there is a rapid decline as not as much oxygen is required by the working muscles because exercise intensity has significantly dropped.
- however, MV then gradually declines in order to remove waste products created during exercise (usually during the cooldown)

33
Q

how does maximal exercise effect minute ventilation

A

-slight increase called anticipatory rise due to the secretion of adrenaline stimulating the fight or flight response, preparing the body for exercise
-the there is a sharp increase after exercise starts as the performer is working anaerobically initially, so that the lungs can meet the demand for oxygen at the working muscles.
-MV then increases slower due to the maximal intensity and increased demand for O2 at the working muscles and removal of waste products. respiratory muscles contract/relax at a faster more forceful rate.
-after exercise there is a rapid decline as not as much oxygen is required by the working muscles because exercise intensity has significantly dropped.
- however, MV then gradually declines in order to remove waste products created during exercise (usually during the cooldown)

34
Q

What centre controls ventilation

A

Respiratory control centre

35
Q

How does the RCC control ventilation

A

Controls rate, depth and rhythm of breathing

36
Q

How is breathing rate regulated

A

By the respiratory muscles under involuntary neural control

37
Q

What 4 receptors are involved in the inspirations control centre

A

Chemoreceptors
Baroreceptors
Proprioreceptors

38
Q

Which receptor is involved in the expiratory centre

A

Mechanoreceptor (stretch)

39
Q

How do the inspiratory receptors regulate breathing

A

Chemo- detect increase in blood acidity, increase in co2 concentration and decrease in o2
Baro- detect changes in blood pressure
Proprio- detect increase in movement (changes in the muscle length is muscle spindle/ changes in muscle tension is Golgi tendon organ)
These changes are sent to the RCC

40
Q

how does the expiratory receptor regulate breathing

A

mechano- the stretch receptors prevent the lungs from over stretching. they send signals to the RCC to start exhalation
this also links to the hering breur reflex

41
Q

what nerve transports the inspiratory signals

A

the phrenic nerve

42
Q

what muscles does the phrenic nerve stimulate

A

diaphragm
external intercostals
sternocleidomastoid
scaline
pectoral minor

43
Q

what nerve transports the expiratory

A

intercostal nerve

44
Q

what muscles does the intercostal nerve stimulate

A

abdominal muscles
internal intercostals

45
Q

what does the stimulation of respiratory muscles do

A

increase inhalation and exhalation
leading to an increased/decreased breathing rate and depth

46
Q

what is the hering breur reflex

A

it stops overstretching via stretch receptors detecting when the lungs are inflated to a certin point. then the inspiratory centre/muscles are temporarily inhibited to stop inhalation. the EC is then stimulated to start exhalation

47
Q

what can overstretching lead to

A

lung damage
the alveoli get less elastic and cant fill as much so lung efficiency reduces

48
Q

how can overstretching happen

A

a ventilator settings being too high
scuba diving
holding breath
high intensity breathing exercises
pulmonary conditions (asthma, COPD)

49
Q

define diffusion

A

movement of gas molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration or partial pressure.

50
Q

what is partial pressure

A

pressure difference between 2 gases

51
Q

what is gaseous exchange

A

the exchange of o2 and co2 at the lungs and working muscles
it can be external and internal

52
Q

what is external gaseous exchange

A

O2 from the atmosphere enters the blood stream at the alveoli and CO2 from the blood streams exits the capillary into the atmosphere
via diffusion

53
Q

what is internal gaseous exchange

A

O2 enters the working skeletal muscle (towards the myoglobin/mitochondria) and CO2 exits the working muscle and diffuses back into the blood to be transported back to the lungs to be exhaled

54
Q

what does the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve show

A

how the percentage of haemoglobin saturation with O2 changes as partial pressure of oxygen changes

55
Q

explain what the dissociation curve shows

A

at the lungs around 98 - 100% of haemoglobin is saturated with oxygen
at the tissues this drops to around 50% as more O2 has left the blood and goes into the muscles.

56
Q

how does the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve change during exercise

A

the Bohr shift - the line shifts to the right as more oxygen dissociates from the haemoglobin and enters the working muscles

57
Q

how does dissociation increase

A

increased blood and muscle temperature
decrease in partial pressure of O2 in muscle - increasing the diffusion gradient
an increase in partial pressure of CO2 - increasing the CO2 diffusion gradient
increased acidity caused by more CO2 in blood and H+ production.

58
Q

what is VO2 max

A

the maximum amount of oxygen that is consumed, transported and utilised by the body/muscles
measured in ml/kg/min
higher value means higher aerobic capacity

59
Q

what are the factors of VO2 max

A

genetics
age
altitude
training
gender

60
Q

how is VO2 max tested

A

tested on a treadmill or bike with increasing intensities until the performer reaches exhaustion (more on this in fitness testing)

61
Q

what is AVO2 diff

A

the difference in O2 level in arteriole and venous blood. (blood arriving and leaving the working muscles

62
Q

how does AVO2 diff change during exercise

A

at rest - there is a low demand for oxygen so only around 25% is taken in and 75% stays in the blood
during exercise - there is a higher demand for O2 and higher partial pressure of O2 in the blood so 75% dissociates into the blood and 25% stays in the blood

63
Q

what is the impact of high AVO2 diff on performance

A

enhanced ability of the muscles to extract and utilise O2 from the blood into the muscle
this allows more O2 to enter the muscle and the athlete can respire aerobically - staying in their aerobic threshold for longer
it also leads to a higher VO2 max

64
Q

what physiological adaptations lead to an increased AVO2 diff

A

capillarisation
increased mitochondrial density
more RBC
more myoglobin
HIIT training
altitude training

65
Q

how does an increased AVO2 diff lead to an increased VO2 max

A

LTA lead to the extraction of more O2 from the blood - increasing VO2 max

66
Q

what is asthma

A

chronic disease where the walls of the airways constrict and get inflamed

67
Q

what happens in an asthma attack

A

less air gets into the lungs
causes wheezing, shortness of breath and a tight chest

68
Q

what triggers an asthma attack

A

allergies
environment

69
Q

what exercise is encourages for asthma suffers

A

swimming - the warm humid environments is unlikely to trigger an asthma attack
also strengthens respiratory muscles

70
Q

why is smoking harmful to the lungs

A

increased carbon monoxide in the lungs, which has a higher affinity to oxygen so there is less o2 in the blood
increased resistance of airways, leads to less O2 absorbed into the blood

71
Q

how does altitude help the respiratory system

A

high altitude means that there is less partial pressure of O2
it decreases by 50% every 5000m you go above sea level
less O2, less aerobic respiration, negative impact on performance.
the body can adapt to have more RBC so more haemoglobin.

72
Q

what are the advantages and disadvantages of altitude training

A

ADV
- more RBC
- higher concentration of haemoglobin
- more efficient o2 transport
DIS
-expensive
-difficult to train
-needs to be less intense
- benefits are lost when you return to sea level

73
Q

how does aerobic training effect VO2 max

A

VO2max increases
due to an increased AVO2 diff, via LTA

74
Q

what are the benefits of a higher VO2 max

A

higher anaerobic threshold
higher aerobic capacity

PE (9 decks)

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