Topic 9: Gas Exchange and Smoking

Question 1

Alveolus (Plural: Alveoli)

Answer 1

The site of gas exchange with the blood capillaries in the lungs. They are composed of a single layer of squamous epithelial cels which are about 0.5 μm in width

Question 2

Bronchiole

• Terminal Bronchiole
• Respiratory Bronchiole

Answer 2

The bronchioles are the small tubes within the lungs into which the bronchi branch.

• The terminal bronchiole is a subdivision of a bronchiole, having a diameter 1.0 mm or less and it self subdividing into respiratory bronchioles. It is the terminus of the conducting portion of the respiratory system and does not contain alveoli.
• The respiratory bronchiole is a short, thinner-walled branch of a terminal bronchiole having a diameter of 0.5 mm; it is the first segment of the bronchiole that contains alveoli. It further subdivides, subsequent branches becoming narrower in diameter and increasing in number of alveoli, with each branch terminating in an alveolar duct.

Question 3

Bronchus (Plural: Bronchi)

Answer 3

One of two tubes into which the trachea branches carrying air into each lung.

Question 4

Cartilage

Answer 4

Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the trechea, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs. It is not as hard and rigid as bone but it is stiffer and less flexible than muscle.