Unit 4- The Respiratory System Flashcards
1
Q
Define the respiratory system
A
Series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide
2
Q
Define Trachea
A
wind pipe
3
Q
How is our trachea protected from food?
A
Epiglottis closes when we swallow
4
Q
Define larynx
A
Enlarged area at the top of the trachea
5
Q
What does the larynx contain?
A
Muscles and ligaments which form our vocal chords
6
Q
What does the trachea branch into?
A
Two large tubes called the bronchii
7
Q
Where does each bronchus lead?
A
Into each of our lungs
8
Q
What does each bronchus branch into?
A
Many bronchioles
9
Q
What do the bronchioles branch into?
A
Millions of tiny elasticated cavities called alveoli
10
Q
What are alveoli surrounded by?
A
Capillaries
11
Q
What happens in the capillaries
A
Oxygen uptake and CO2 disposal
12
Q
How are the trachea, bronchus and bronchioles kept open?
A
Rings of cartilage
13
Q
What would happen if the trachea, bronchus and bronchioles didn’t have rings of cartilage keeping them open?
A
They would collapse when we breathe
14
Q
What is the function of the muscles in the walls of the trachea, bronchus and bronchioles?
A
Allows them to dilate or constrict to vary the amount of air that enters or leaves the lungs
15
Q
What do malfunctions of the muscles in the trachea, bronchus and bronchioles cause?
A
Symptoms of asthma
16
Q
What are the two types of cells found in the lining of the trachea, bronchus and bronchioles?
A
Mucus
Cilia
17
Q
What is the function of mucus?
A
Sticky, slimy fluid that traps dirt and bacteria when breathed in
18
Q
What is the function of cilia?
A
Microscopic hair-like extensions that move backwards and forwards to move mucus up to the back of the throat where it can be swallowed
19
Q
What can cause damage to cilia?
A
Cilia are paralysed by chemicals in cigarette smoke and so smokers lungs tend to be dirtier and they cough more as it’s the only way to clear the mucus
20
Q
Where are the lungs located?
A
Cavity called the thorax
21
Q
What is located at the side and top of the thorax and rib cage?
A
Two sets of intercostal muscles (internal and external)
22
Q
How are the lungs separated from the digestive system?
A
Domed sheet of muscle called the diaphragm
23
Q
What surrounds each lung?
A
Double set of coverings called the pleural membranes
24
Q
What is between the pleural membranes?
A
A narrow space filled with fluid called the pleural fluid
25
What is the function of pleural fluid?
Makes the membranes stick to each other
26
What are the pleural membranes attached to?
One membrane attaches to the lung itself with the other attached to the rib cage and diaphragm
27
What do the pleural membranes cause the lungs to be indirectly attached to?
The rib cage and diaphragm
28
Define breathing
Movement of air in and out of the lungs
29
Define inspiration
Inhaling
30
Define expiration
Exhaling
31
What is the role of the intercostal muscles?
External intercostal muscles contract, drawing air into the lungs
32
How does the rib cage move when inhaling?
Swings up and out as the rib cage is hinged to spine
33
Describe the movement of the diaphragm during inhalation
Pushes down on digestive organs below
34
How is inhalation carried out?
Lungs follow ribcage and diaphragm and stretch, opening the microscopic alveoli and increasing internal volume of the lungs
Air rushes in due to lowering of air pressure, and inflate the alveoli
35
What is the role of the diaphragm?
Carry out expiration by stopping contracting
36
How is exhalation carried out?
Diaphragm recoils upwards into domed position, gravity causes ribcage to drop
Volume of lungs decreases, causing increase in air pressure, forcing air out
37
How is coughing carried out?
Internal intercostal muscles contract, to pull ribcage back down with more force
38
What is the role of the intercostal muscles during respiration?
Prevent friction when lungs move
| Essential to inflating and deflating of lungs
39
What happens if the pleural cavity is punctured?
The affected lung will not inflate
40
Define gaseous exchange
Process of oxygen entering the blood and CO2 being removed from it
41
Where does gaseous exchange occur?
Alveoli
42
What 3 ways have the alveoli adapted to increase efficiency of gaseous exchange?
Large surface area (2 tennis courts), means large amount of GE can occur
Thin walls mean minimal distance for gas to pass through
Inner surface walls coated with water, allows oxygen to dissolve before travelling
43
Define concentration gradient
When particles diffuse from high to low concentration until they are evenly spaced
44
Explain concentration gradients in terms of gaseous exchange
Higher oxygen concentration in air than the blood, so oxygen diffuses into the blood
OXYGEN+HAEMOGLOBIN= OXYHEMOGLOBIN
CO2 diffuses in opposite direction
45
Define asthma
Common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties
46
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Whistling sound when breathing
Breathlessness
Tight chest
Coughing
47
Define asthma attack
When asthma symptoms get temporarily worse
48
What causes asthma?
Swelling of trachea, highly sensitive, temporarily narrow
| May happen randomly or after exposure to trigger
49
What are common asthma triggers?
```
Allergies
Smoke
Pollution
Cold air
Exercise
Colds or flu
```
50
How is asthma treated?
An inhaler, a small device that lets you breathe in medication
51
What are the two types of inhaler used to treat asthma?
```
Reliever inhaler (quickly, short term)
Preventer inhaler (used daily to prevent symptoms)
```
52
What are the problems caused by badly controlled asthma?
```
Fatigue
Underperformance
Anxiety or depression
Unplanned GP visits
Lung infections
Delays in puberty
```
53
What are the three key malfunctions of the respiratory system?
Asthma
Emphysema
Cystic Fibrosis
54
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
55
Define chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Group of lung conditions that cause breathing problems
56
Define emphysema
Damage to alveoli in the lungs
57
Define cystic fibrosis
Build up of mucus in lungs and digestive system
58
Define asthma
Lung condition that causes breathing difficulties
59
How is the alveoli damaged when experiencing emphysema?
Inner alveoli walls weaken and rupture over time, creating large air spaces instead of many small ones.
60
What are the consequences of damaged alveoli?
Surface area is reduced and less oxygen is diffused across during gaseous exchange. Old air becomes trapped, leaving less room for oxygen-rich air.
61
What do most people with emphysema also experience?
Chronic bronchitis
62
Define chronic bronchitis
Inflammation of bronchial tubes
63
What is the main symptom of emphysema?
Shortness of breath
64
What is the main cause of emphysema?
Long term exposure to airborne irritants such as tobacco, marijuana, air pollution and chemical fumes
65
What are the risk factors in developing emphysema?
```
Smoking
Age
Second hand smoke exposure
Exposure to fumes or dust
Indoor+outdoor pollution
```
66
How is emphysema prevented?
Don’t smoke, avoid second hand smoke exposure and wear masks to protect lungs when around saw dust and other fumes
67
Which medications are used to treat emphysema?
Bronchodilators
Inhaled steroids
Antibiotics
68
What therapies are used to treat emphysema?
```
Pulmonary rehabilitation (breathing exercises and techniques)
Supplemental oxygen
```
69
What surgeries are offered to treat emphysema?
Lung volume reduction (removing dead tissue to help lung efficiency)
Lung transplant
70
What are the consequences of cystic fibrosis?
Increased risk of lung infections
| Inability to digest properly due to mucus blocking the pancreas
71
What are the symptoms of cystic fibrosis?
Recurring chest infections
Wheezing or coughing
Difficulty putting on weight
Jaundice
72
How is cystic fibrosis treated?
```
Medication
Bronchodilators
Steroid machine
Exercise
Airway clearance techniques
```
73
Which medications are used to treat cystic fibrosis?
```
Dornase Alfa (thins mucus)
Ivacaftor (reduce mucus)
```
74
Which airway clearance techniques are used to treat cystic fibrosis?
ACBT
Autogenic drainage
Airway clearance devices
75
Which conditions do individuals with cystic fibrosis have a higher chance of developing?
```
Osteoporosis
Diabetes
Nasal polyps
Liver problems
Fertility problems
```
76
What causes cystic fibrosis?
A faulty gene that affects the movement of salt and water in and out of the cells
77
Define Peak flow test
Measurement of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs (used to diagnose and monitor asthma)
78
How is physiotherapy used to treat lung conditions?
Enhances airway clearance in COPD treatment
79
Define spirometer
A test to measure how much air you can blow out in 1 breath
80
What is cellular respiration?
The aerobic process in which glucose is broken down to release energy and form ATP molecules
81
Why is oxygen essential for cellular respiration?
The necessary reactions couldn’t take place without oxygen, meaning cells would not function correctly
82
What chemical reaction takes place during cellular respiration?
Glucose➡️ADP➡️ATP
83
What does ADP stand for?
adenosine diphosphate
84
What does ATP stand for?
Adenosine triphosphate
85
What is the role of ATP and ADP?
ATP is the bodies way of storing energy and when cells require it, it converts into ADP, releasing a phosphate molecule and an energy release
86
What are the three stages within cellular respiration?
1) Glycolysis
2) The Krebs cycle
3) Electron Transport Chain
87
Where does glycolysis take place?
Cytoplasm
88
What type of process is glycolysis?
Anaerobic
89
What is the byproduct of glycolysis?
Lactic acidosis
90
Describe the process of glycolysis
Glucose broken down into pyruvic acid and an energy release
| 2ATP + 2NAD = 4ATP (net profit of 2ATP)+ 2 Pyruvates + 2 NADH
91
What does NAD stand for?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
92
What is the role of NAD
accepts and donates electrons
93
What type of process is the Krebs cycle?
Aerobic process
94
Where does the Krebs cycle happen?
Mitochondria
95
Define anaerobic
Doesn’t require oxygen
96
Define aerobic
Requires oxygen
97
Describe the process of the Krebs cycle
Takes products of glycolysis and creates ATP (2 per glucose molecule) and more energy release
[Pyruvate’s oxidised creating 3NADH which leads to more ATP]
98
What is the waste product of the Krebs cycle?
Citric acid
99
How is CO2 produced in terms of the Krebs Cycle?
Carbon gets cleaved from the citric acid, leaving CO2 to be expired
100
What type of process is the Electron Transport Chain?
Aerobic
101
Describe the process of the Electron Transport Chain
NADH and other outputs provide the energy to force electrons through the ATP synthase, creating more ATP
102
What is anaerobic respiration?
Pyruvic acid being converted into lactic acid through glycolysis
103
When is anaerobic respiration necessary?
When extra ATP is needed. Supplements energy provided by aerobic respiration
104
Describe lactic acid
Poisonous to muscles
Build up causes fatigue
Broken down in mitochondria
105
What are the physical effects of asthma on an individual?
Insomnia
Inability to play sports
Expensive inhalers+medication
106
What are the emotional effects of asthma?
Anger or frustration bc you can’t do what you want
| Jealousy at others who can do what you can’t
107
What are the social effects of asthma on an individual?
Distancing themselves from friends due to embarrassment
108
What are the physical effects of emphysema?
Expensive medication
Nicotine and getting help to quit smoking might be expensive
Insomnia
Might miss work
109
What are the emotional effects of emphysema on an individual?
Fatigue or depression
| Guilt surrounding previous bad habits
110
What are the social effects of emphysema on an individual?
Miss school or work
| Avoid socialisation
111
What are the physical impacts of cystic fibrosis on an individual?
Malnutrition
Stunted growth
Insomnia from coughing
112
What are the emotional effects of cystic fibrosis on an individual?
Embarrassment
Frustration
Jealous of others w/o it
113
What are the social effects of cystic fibrosis on an individual?
Can’t play sports with friends
| May avoid meeting with friends
114
What causes cystic fibrosis?
Recessive faulty gene
115
What is contained within the plasma membrane?
CFTR protein
116
What does CFTR stand for?
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
117
What is the function of the CFTR carrier protein?
transport chloride ions across the plasma membrane
118
Where is mucus produced?
Goblet cells in the trachea
119
How is the mucus moved up the trachea?
The ciliated epithelial cells
120
How is water moved into the mucus?
Chloride ions moved into the mucus via active transport, which lowers the water potential in the mucus, making water move into it via osmosis
121
How is the CFTR carrier protein different in someone with cystic fibrosis?
Different tertiary structure, meaning it doesn’t carry chloride ions, so water potential remains high in the mucus and water doesn’t move in
122
How are lung infections caused in someone with cystic fibrosis?
Bacteria is still trapped in the mucus but can’t be removed
123
How can a build up of phagocytes cause damage to the lungs?
As the phagocytes all flock to the lungs to engulf the bacteria, they clump together, reducing the surface area of the lungs
124
How can mucus build up affect the reproductive system?
It can block the ducts carrying gametes, leading to infertility- particularly in males
125
What is the simple equation for anaerobic respiration?
Glucose➡️Lactic acid
126
What is glucose broken down into?
Pyruvates
127
What are the two types of specialised cell found within the lining of the trachea and bronchii?
Glandular cells that produce mucus
| Cilia that move mucus
