WEEK XII (Respiratory system) Flashcards
What are the three basic steps of respiration?
- Pulmonary ventilation/Breathing
- External (pulmonary) respiration
- Internal (tissue) respiration
What is Pulmonary ventilation/Breathing?
The inhalation and exhalation of air and involves the exchange of air between the atmosphere and the alveoli of the lungs
What is External (Pulmonary) respiration?
The exchange of gases between the alveoli of the lungs and blood in pulmonary capillaries across the respiratory membrane
[pulmonary capillary blood gains O2 and loses CO2]
What is Internal (Tissue) respiration?
The exchange of gases between blood in systemic capillaries and tissue cells
What is the importance of Cellular respiration?
- Occurs within the mitochondria
- Involves the metabolic processes of using O2 and producing CO2 while extracting energy from nutrient molecules
What is the Respiratory Quotient (RQ)?
The ratio of CO2 produced to O2 consumed during cellular respiration
RQ = CO2 PRODUCED/O2 CONSUMED
What happens in External respiration?
1) Air is moved into and out of the lungs through VENTILATION allowing for exchange of gases between the atmosphere and alveoli
2) O2 and CO2 are exchanged between the air in the alveoli and the blood in PULMONARY CAPILLARIES through DIFFUSION
3) Blood carries O2 and CO2 between the lungs and the body’s tissues
4) O2 and CO2 are exchanged between the tissue cells and the blood through diffusion across systemic capillaries
What are the Non-respiratory functions of the Respiratory system?
- Route for water loss and heat elimination (humidify + warm inspired air -> prevents drying of alveolar linings & facilitates gas exchange)
- Enhances venous return through “respiratory pump” mechanism
- Maintains normal acid-base balance by regulating amount of CO2 exhaled
- Enables speech
- Traps + removes particles -> defends against inhaled foreign matter
- Lungs act as a filter
- Lungs activate prostaglandins and activate angiotensin II
- Nose enables smell
Describe how the structure of Alveoli aid with diffusion
- Walls consist of a single layer FLATTENED TYPE I ALVEOLAR CELLS -> Short diffusion distance
- Each alveolus surrounded by a network of pulmonary capillaries -> Rich blood supply
- Alveolar air-pulmonary blood interface -> Large surface area
What is the difference between Type I and Type II Alveolar cells?
TYPE I = Flat cells that surround alveoli
TYPE II = Cover alveolar surface and secrete PULMONARY SURFACTANT which helps facilitate lung expansion
Why are defensive alveolar macrophages present within the air sacs?
To guard against foreign particles and pathogens
What is the importance of Minute pores of Kohn?
- Exist between adjacent alveoli -> allows airflow between them
- Important for ventilation in cases where a terminal conducting airway is blocked due to disease -> allows fresh air to reach affected alveolus
How are changes in lung volume achieved?
Through changes in the dimensions of the thoracic (chest) cavity rather than through muscle action within the lungs
What is Pleurisy?
An inflammation of the pleural sac which causes painful breathing
CAUSE: Friction between the inflating and deflating lungs and the inflamed pleural surfaces creates a “friction hub”
What are the three important pressure considerations in ventilation?
- ATMOSPHERIC (BAROMETRIC) PRESSURE
- INTRA-ALVEOLAR PRESSURE
- INTRAPLEURAL PRESSURE (lower than atmospheric pressure)