Tissues in the Gaseous Exchange System Flashcards
What is cartilage?
A form of connective tissue
What is ciliated epithelium?
A layer of cells that have many hair like extensions called cilia.
What are elastic fibres?
Protein fibres that can deform and then recoil to their original size.
What are goblet cells?
Cells that secrete mucus.
What is smooth muscle?
Involuntary muscle that contracts without the need for conscious thought.
Is it possible to distinguish alveolus walls under a light microscope?
No.
For the airways to be effective what three requirements must they have?
Be large enough to allow sufficient air to flow without obstruction.
Be supported to prevent collapse when the air pressure inside is low during inspiration.
Be flexible in order to allow movement.
How do ciliate to the airways?
They keep the lungs healthy
What do goblet cells release and why?
Mucus, to trap pathogens.
The cilia waft the mucus produced by the goblet cells to the back of the throat. What happens next?
It is either coughed up or swallowed.
What other cells produce mucus?
The glandular tissue and the loose tissue.
How is the bronchi different to the trachea?
It’s narrower. However, it’s walls have a very similar structure?
Does smooth muscle contribute to breathing movements?
No it does not.
Both the trachea and bronchi are supported by C-shaped rings of cartilage. Why are they C-shaped?
So that food can pass down the oesophagus and it also allows flexibility.
Do smaller bronchioles contain cartilage?
NO
What are bronchiole walls mostly comprised of?
Smooth muscle and elastic fibres.
What do small bronchioles end in?
Clusters of alveoli
When the smooth muscle contracts what happens to the airway?
The lumen of the airway becomes narrower, the airway is constricted.
Why would controlling the flow of air be important?
If there are harmful substances around.
The contraction of the smooth muscle and the control o airflow is not a voluntary act. Why may it occur involuntarily?
Due to an allergic reaction.
Once smooth muscle has contracted it cannot return to its original shape. What returns it to its original shape and how?
The elastic fibres. When the smooth muscle contracts it deforms the elastic fibres. As the muscle relaxes, the elastic fibres recoil to their original size and shape.
