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MCAT-BIOLOGY > The Respiratory System > Flashcards

The Respiratory System Flashcards

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1
Q

ventilation

A

the simple movement of air into and out of the lungs

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2
Q

respiration

A

the exchange of gases; either the lungs and the blood or the blood and the other tissues of the body

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3
Q

conduction zone

A

the parts of the respiratory system that participate only in ventilation

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4
Q

respiratory zone

A

parts of the respiratory system that participate in actual gas exchange

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5
Q

what are 3 roles other than respiration performed by the respiratory system?

A

1) pH regulation
2) thermoregulation (evaporative water loss and countercurrent exchange)
3) protection from disease and particulate matter (mucociliary escalator and alveolar macrophages)

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6
Q

hyperventilation

A

too much breathing, causes alkalinization of the blood (respiratory alkalosis)

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7
Q

hypoventilation

A

too little breathing, causes acidification of the blood (respiratory acidosis)

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8
Q

evaporative water loss

A

how breathing results in significant heat loss, liquid water absorbs heat as it changes into water vapour, and this heat is removed from the body during the process

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9
Q

pathway followed by inhaled air:

A

nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, terminal bronchioles, respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli

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10
Q

what comprises the respiratory zone?

A

respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli (involved in gas exchange)

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11
Q

nose

A

warming, humidifying, filtering inhaled air; nasal hairs and sticky mucus act as filters

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12
Q

nasal cavity

A

an open space within the nose

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13
Q

pharynx

A

the throat (common pathway for both air and food)

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14
Q

larynx

A

at the bottom of the throat/pharynx, made entirely of cartilage to keep the airway open, contains the epiglottis which seals the trachea during swallowing, contains the vocal cords

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15
Q

vocal cords

A

folds of tissue positioned to partially block the flow of air and vibrate, thereby producing sound

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16
Q

trachea

A

passageway which must remain open to permit air flow, rings of cartilage prevents its collapse

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17
Q

primary bronchi

A

one primary bronchi supplies each lung and branches repeatedly, collapse is prevented by small plates of cartilage

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18
Q

bronchioles

A

very small bronchi, contain no cartilage, walls made of smooth muscle which allows their diameters to be regulated to adjust airflow into the system

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19
Q

terminal bronchioles

A

the smallest and final branches of the conduction zone, very thick smooth muscles prevent diffusion of gases

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20
Q

alveolus

A

the actual structure across which gases diffuse, walls are only one cell thick

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21
Q

alveolar duct

A

the duct leading to the alveoli

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22
Q

respiratory bronchiole

A

a tube made of smooth muscle which has a few alveoli scattered in its walls, from which alveolar ducts branch off

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23
Q

what lines the respiratory tract

A

tall columnar epithelial cells that are too thick to assist in gas exchange

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24
Q

goblet cells

A

specialized epithelial cells along the respiratory tract that secrete a layer of sticky mucus

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25
Q

mucociliary escalator

A

cilia on apical surfaces of columnar epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract which constantly sweep the layer of mucus toward the pharynx, where mucus containing pathogens and inhaled particles can be swallowed or coughed out

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26
Q

what kind of cells comprise gas-exchanging surfaces (i.e. terminal bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli)?

A

a single layer of thin, delicate squamous epithelial cells, no mucus present, alveolar macrophages patrol the alveoli and protects from disease and inhaled particles

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27
Q

simple squamous epithelium

A

a single layer of squamous epithelial cells

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28
Q

surface tension

A

the tendency of water molecules to clump together, the force that causes wet hydrophilic surfaces to stick together in the presence of air

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29
Q

surfactant

A

soapy substance that coats the alveoli and reduces surface tension to prevent alveoli collapse, a complex mixture of phospholipids, proteins, and ions secreted by cells in the alveolar wall

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30
Q

pulmonary ventilation

A

the circulation of air into and out of the lungs to continually replace the gases in the alveoli with those in the atmosphere

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31
Q

inspiration

A

the drawing of air into the lungs; an active process driven by the contraction of the diaphragm which enlarges the chest cavity and draws air in

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32
Q

expiration

A

the movement of air out of the lungs; passive process driven by the elastic recoil of the lungs

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33
Q

each lung is surrounded by:

A

two membranes (pleura)

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34
Q

parietal pleura

A

membrane that lines the inside of the chest cavity

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35
Q

visceral pleura

A

membrane that lines the surface of the lines

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36
Q

pleural space

A

the narrow space between the two pleura, pressure in the pleural space is negative meaning that the two pleural membranes are drawn tightly together by a vacuum (thin layer of fluid)

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37
Q

diaphragm

A

a large skeletal muscle that is stretched below the ribs between the abdomen and the chest cavity, flattens when contracted

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38
Q

intercostal muscles

A

between the ribs, contract during inspiration and pulls ribs upward and further expands the chest cavity

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39
Q

forced expiration

A

an active process during exertion or forced exhalation that involves contraction of abdominal muscles to press upward on diaphragm, further shrinking the size of the lungs and forcing more air out

40
Q

what are the steps in inspiration?

A

1) diaphragm contracts and flattens
2) chest cavity volume expands
3) pleural pressure decreases, becoming more negative
4) lungs expand outward
5) pressure in alveoli becomes negative
6) air enters the lungs and the alveoli

41
Q

when is the alveolar pressure exactly zero/equal to atmospheric?

A

at the end of a resting expiration and just after inspiration before expiration

42
Q

spirometry

A

the measurement of the volume of air entering or exiting the lungs at the various stages of ventilation

43
Q

spirometer

A

a device used to measure volume of air entering or exiting the lungs

44
Q

tidal volume (TV)

A

the amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs with normal light breathing

45
Q

expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

A

the volume of air that can be expired after a passive resting expiration

46
Q

inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

A

the volume of air that can be inspired after a relaxing inspiration

47
Q

functional residual capacity (FRC)

A

the volume of air left in the lungs after a resting expiration

48
Q

inspiratory capacity (IC)

A

the maximal volume of air which can be inhaled after a resting expiration

49
Q

residual volume (RV)

A

the amount of air that remains in the lungs after the strongest possible expiration

50
Q

vital capacity (VC)

A

the maximum amount of air that can be forced out of the lungs after first taking the deepest possible breath

51
Q

total lung capacity (TLC)

A

the vital capacity plus the residual volume

52
Q

deoxygenated blood is carried toward the lungs by the pulmonary arteries which branch into:

A

networks of pulmonary capillaries/alveolar capillaries which surrounds alveolus and have extremely thin walls which permit diffusion of gases between blood and alveolus

53
Q

pulmonary edema

A

fluid in the lungs resulting from increased blood pressure

54
Q

how does the lymphatic system help to prevent pulmonary edema?

A

by carrying interstitial fluid out of the lungs

55
Q

partial pressure

A

the contribution of each individual gas to the total pressure

56
Q

Henry’s Law

A

the amount of gas that will dissolve into liquid is dependent on the partial pressure of that gas as well as the solubility of that gas in the liquid

57
Q

according to Henry’s law, how does one find the concentration of a gas in the bloodstream?

A

the product of partial pressure of gas in the air above the fluid and the solubility of the gas in that liquid

58
Q

what is the driving force for the exchange of gases in the lungs?

A

the difference in partial pressures between the alveolar air and the blood

59
Q

respiratory membrane

A

three barriers to diffusion of gas from air to blood: first pass alveolar epithelium, interstitial liquid, capillary endothelium

60
Q

type II alveolar cell

A

produces surfactant

61
Q

respiratory control center

A

in the medulla of the brain stem, controls breathing (involuntary process)

62
Q

what stimuli affects ventilation rate?

A

mechanical and chemical stimuli

63
Q

what are the principal chemical stimuli that affect ventilation rate?

A

increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide, decreased pH, and decreased partial pressure of oxygen (secondary regulator)

64
Q

peripheral chemoreceptors

A

located in the aorta and carotid arteries, monitor the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, pH, and partial pressure of oxygen

65
Q

central chemoreceptors

A

found in the medullary respiratory control center, monitor partial pressure of carbon dioxide and pH of the cerebrospinal fluid

66
Q

what are mechanical stimuli that affect ventilation rate?

A

physical stretching of the lungs and irritants

67
Q

mechanical stretching of lung tissues stimulates:

A

stretch receptors that inhibit further excitatory signals from the respiratory center to the muscles involved in inspiration

68
Q

bronchoconstriction

A

contraction of this smooth muscle

69
Q

irritation of the inner lining of the lung stimulates:

A

irritant receptors and reflexive contraction of bronchial smooth muscle to prevent irritants from continuing to enter the passageways

70
Q

bronchoconstriction is determined by which nerves?

A

parasympathetic nerves that release Ach

71
Q

histamine causes:

A

bronchoconstriction (released during an allergy attack), opposed by epinephrine

72
Q

bronchodilation

A

smooth muscles in airways relax

73
Q

irritant receptors in the lung

A

trigger coughing and/or bronchoconstriction when an irritating chemical is detected

74
Q

stretch of lung is detected by:

A

stretch receptors in lung to inhibit inspiration

75
Q

increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide is detected by:

A

peripheral chemoreceptors and medullary respiratory centre

76
Q

decreased pH is detected by:

A

peripheral chemoreceptors and medullary respiratory center to increase respiratory rate

77
Q

decreased partial pressure of oxygen is detected by:

A

peripheral chemoreceptors to increase respiratory rate

78
Q

epidermis

A

the outermost layer of the skin

79
Q

dermis

A

deeper connective tissue underneath epidermis

80
Q

hypodermis/subcutaneous tissue

A

adipose tissue underneath dermis, protective, insulating layer

81
Q

the epidermis is composed of:

A

stratified layers of squamous epithelial cells that are constantly sloughed off and replenished by mitosis of cells at the deepest part of the epidermis (stratum basale)

82
Q

stratum basale

A

deepest layer of epidermis, right above dermis

83
Q

if cells in the epidermis die, they become:

A

keratinized: filled with a thick coating of the tough, hydrophobic protein keratin which helps make skin waterproof

84
Q

melanin

A

a brown pigment produced by specialized cells (melanocytes) in the epidermis that helps absorb ultraviolet light to prevent damage to underlying tissues

85
Q

dermis consists of:

A

various cell types embedded in a connective tissue matrix, blood vessels that nourish both the dermis and the epidermis, sensory receptors, sudoriferous glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles

86
Q

sudoriferous glands

A

sweat glands

87
Q

sebaceous glands

A

oil glands

88
Q

hairs consist of:

A

dead epithelial cells bound tightly together

89
Q

some specialized regions of skin contain:

A

ceruminous (wax glands) such as the external ear canal

90
Q

sweat glands are responsive to:

A

aldosterone (high levels=sodium reabsorption so sweat does not waste salt)

91
Q

homeotherms

A

body temperature is relatively constant

92
Q

how do humans generate heat?

A

by metabolic processes and muscle contraction

93
Q

chemical thermogenesis/nonshivering thermogenesis:

A

some homeotherms maintain their temperature by burning special fat (brown adipose tissue)

94
Q

what are four strategies for keeping warm:

A

1) contraction of skeletal muscle
2) skin insulates us to conserve heat generated by metabolism
3) heat loss by conduction is minimized by constriction of blood vessels in the dermis (cutaneous vasoconstriction)
4) clothing/blankets

95
Q

cutaneous vasoconstriction

A

constriction of blood vessels in the dermis

96
Q

what are mechanisms for dissipating excess heat?

A

1) sweating (allows heat loss by evaporation)
2) dilation of blood vessels in the dermis (cutaneous vasodilation) which results in heat loss by conduction or convection when air blows past the skin

97
Q

cutaneous vasodilation

A

dilation of blood vessels in the dermis

MCAT-BIOLOGY (17 decks)

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