Topic 4.4: Human Physiology and Anatomy 1 Flashcards
Identify the structures that comprise the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose and nasal cavities, pharynx, and larynx.
The lower respiratory tract consists of the trachea, bronchial tree, and lungs.
Discuss the arrangement of the trachea, esophagus, larynx, and epiglottis, which normally prevents food from entering the trachea.
The trachea lies ventral to the esophagus. When food is swallowed, the epiglottis covers the tracheal opening (glottis) so the food slides over the epiglottis and into the esophagus.
Summarize the path of an oxygen molecule from the nose to the bloodstream.
O2 travels through the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, brachial tree, and lungs, where it diffuses across the alveolar an capillary endothelial cells to the bloodstream.
Describe the function of pulmonary surfactant.
Pulmonary surfactants lower the surface tension of the coating of the alveoli, preventing their sides from collapsing upon themselves.
Define respiratory system
Organ system of humans that includes the lungs and associated structures; involved in the exchange of gases; helps control pH.
Define ventilation
Process of moving air into and out of the lungs; breathing.
Define nose
External structure of the respiratory system that is involved in the process of ventilation.
Define pharynx
In vertebrates, common passageway for both food intake and air movement; located between the mouth and the esophagus.
Define larynx
Cartilaginous organ located between the pharynx and the trachea; in humans, contains the vocal cords; sometimes called the voice box.
Define vocal cord
In humans, fold of tissue within the larynx; creates vocal sounds when it vibrates.
Define glottis
Opening for airflow in the larynx.
Define epiglottis
Structure that covers the glottis, the air-tract opening, during the process of swallowing.
Define trachea
(pl., tracheae) In insects, air tube located between the spiracles and the tracheoles. In tetrapod vertebrates, air tube (windpipe) that runs between the larynx and the bronchi.
Define bronchi
(sing., bronchus) In terrestrial vertebrates, branch of the trachea that leads to the lungs.
Define bronchiole
In terrestrial vertebrates, small tube that conducts air from a bronchus to the alveoli.
Define alveoli
(sing., alveolus) In humans, terminal, microscopic, grapelike air sac found in lungs.
Define lung
Internal respiratory organ containing moist surfaces for gas exchange.
Define diaphragm
In mammals, dome-shaped muscularized sheet separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity; contraceptive device that prevents sperm from reaching the egg.
Compare and contrast tidal volume, vital capacity, expiratory reserve volume, and residual volume.
Tidal volume is the amount of air that normally moves in and out of the lungs with each breath. Vital capacity is the maximum volumes of air that can be moved in and out during a single breath. Expiratory reserve volume is the air that can be forcibly exhaled beyond the tidal volume. Residual volume is the air left in the lungs after a forced exhalation.
Explain why inspiration is considered the active phase of ventilation, and expiration the passive phase.
Inspiration requires the contraction of the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles. Expiration is passive because it requires no muscles contractions, just the elastic recoil of the thoracic wall and lungs.
Discuss the roles of the following in controlling respiration: respiratory center, vagus nerve, and carotid bodies.
The respiratory center in the brain automatically sends nerve impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. The vagus nerve carries inhibitory impulses from the lungs to the brain to stop the lungs from overstretching. The carotid bodies have chemoreceptors that monitor levels of O2 in the blood.
Define inspiration
Act of taking air into the lungs; inhalation.
Define expiration
Act of expelling air from the lungs; exhalation.
Define respiratory center
Group of nerve cells in the medulla oblongata that sends out nerve impulses on a rhythmic basis, resulting in involuntary inspiration on an ongoing basis.
Explain the role of hemoglobin in carrying O2, CO2, and hydrogen ions. Which is hemoglobin’s most essential function?
Hemoglobin’s most essential function is to carry O2 (as oxyhemoglobin) to the tissues, but it also carries a small amount of CO2 (as carbaminohemoglobin) back the the lungs. Excess H+ ions can be taken up by hemoglobin, which then becomes reduced hemoglobin.
Discuss why arterial blood is bright red in color, but venous blood is a darker blue.
Arterial blood is brighter red than venous blood because the red blood cells in arterial blood contain oxyhemoglobin, which is bright red, compared to the red blood cells in venous blood that contain reduced hemoglobin, which is darker. Blood from a cut appears bright red because hemoglobin becomes oxyhemoglobin upon exposure to O2 in the air.
Describe why the process of respiration is said to be a passive process.
The exchange of gases in respiration is by diffusion. No energy is required, which indicates a passive process.
Define hemoglobin
Iron-containing respiratory pigment occurring in vertebrate red blood cells and in the blood plasma of some invertebrates.
Define external respiration
Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between alveoli of the lungs and blood.
Define bicarbonate ions
Ion that participates in buffering the blood, and the form in which carbon dioxide is transported in the bloodstream.
Define carbonic anhydrase
Enzyme in red blood cells that speeds the formation of carbonic acid from water and carbon dioxide.
Define oxyhemoglobin
Compound formed when oxygen combines with hemoglobin.
Define internal respiration
Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and tissue fluid.
Define carbaminohemoglobin
Hemoglobin carrying carbon dioxide.
Define reduced hemoglobin
Globin chains within the hemoglobin molecule that have combined with hydrogen ions (H+).
What is the difference between tonsillitis and laryngitis?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, while tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils become inflames and enlarged.
Explain how, in addition to the directly harmful effects of cigarette smoke, smoking might predispose the lung to damage by other harmful substances.
Smoking damages the tissues of the respiratory tract directly. Infections from bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and viruses become more likely if the lung tissues is damaged.
Which of the diseases of the lungs has a hereditary (genetic) component?
Cystic fibrosis.
Define tonsillitis
Inflammation of the tonsils—lymphoid tissue located in the pharynx.
Define laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx, usually resulting in an inability or difficulty in speaking.
Define sinusitis
Inflammation of the cranial sinuses in the head.
Define otitis media
Inflammation of the middle ear.
Define acute bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs; often caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Define chronic bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by smoking or exposure to environmental contaminants.
Define asthma
Condition in which bronchioles constrict and cause difficulty in breathing.
Define pneumonia
Condition of the respiratory system characterized by the filling of the bronchi and alveoli with fluid; caused by a viral, fungal, or bacterial pathogen.
Define pulmonary tuberculosis
Respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Define emphysema
Disorder of the respiratory system, specifically the lungs, that is characterized by damage to the alveoli, thus reducing the ability to exchange gases with the external environment.
Define cystic fibrosis
Genetic disease caused by a defect in the CFTR gene, which is responsible for the formation of a transmembrane chloride ion transporter; causes the mucus of the body to be viscous.
Define pulmonary fibrosis
Respiratory condition characterized by the buildup of connective tissue in the lungs; typically caused by inhalation of coal dust, silica, or asbestos.
Define lung cancer
Uncontrolled cell growth that affects any component of the respiratory system.
- The amount of air moved into and out of the lungs during regular breathing is known as the
a) vital capacity
b) tidal volume
c) residual volume
d) none of the above
b) tidal volume
Which of these statements correctly goes with the expiration rather than inspiration?
a) rib cage moves up and out
b) diaphragm relaxes and moves up
c) pressure in lungs decreases, and air comes rushing out
d) diaphragm contracts and lowers
b) diaphragm relaxes and moves up
Air enters the human lungs because
a) atmospheric pressure is lower than the pressure inside the lungs
b) atmospheric pressure is greater than the pressure inside the lungs
c) although the pressures are the same inside and outside, the partial pressure of oxygen is lower in the lungs
d) the residual air in the lungs causes the partial pressure of oxygen to be lower than it is outside.
b) atmospheric pressure is greater than the pressure inside the lungs
The enzyme carbonic anhydrase
a) causes the blood to be more basic in the tissues
b) forms carbonic acid in the blood
c) actively transports carbon dioxide out of capillaries
d) is active only at high altitudes
e) all of the above
a) causes the blood to be more basic in the tissues
Hemoglobin assists in the transport of gases primarily by
a) combining with oxygen
b) combining with CO2
c) combining with H+
d) being present in red blood cells
e) all of the above
a) combining with oxygen
The binding of small amounts of carbon dioxide to hemoglobin produces
a) oxyhemoglobin
b) carbonic anhydrase
c) deoxyhemoglobin
d) carbaminohemoglobin
e) bicarbonate hemoglobin
d) carbaminohemoglobin
Which of the following is not true of obstructive pulmonary disorders?
a) air does not flow freely in the airways
b) Vital capacity is reduced due to loss of lung elasticity
c) disorders include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma
d) ventilation takes longer to occur
d) ventilation takes longer to occur
Which of the following is not an infection of the upper respiratory tract?
a) tonsillitis
b) sinusitis
c) otitis media
d) bronchitis
e) non of the above
d) bronchitis
Smoking is associated with an increased risk of
a) emphysema
b) several types of cancer
c) heart disease
d) all of the above
d) all of the above
