[04] Biophysics of Circulation and Respiration

Question 1

How does biophysics apply to circulation?

Answer 1

Biophysics studies the physical forces like pressure, flow, and resistance that govern blood circulation.

Question 2

How is biophysics related to respiration?

Answer 2

Biophysics analyzes the mechanical aspects of breathing, gas diffusion, and the physics of sound for understanding the respiratory system.

Question 3

What is the relationship between pressure and blood flow in the context of circulation?

Answer 3

Blood flow in the body is driven by pressure differences; higher pressure drives blood from the heart to areas of lower pressure in the body.

Question 4

How does resistance impact circulation?

Answer 4

Resistance in blood vessels affects the flow of blood; more resistance can decrease blood flow.

Question 5

What is the role of the heart in circulation from a biophysical perspective?

Answer 5

The heart generates the force (pressure) that drives blood flow through the circulatory system.

Question 6

Define “Pulmonary Circulation”.

Answer 6

It’s the part of the circulatory system that carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart, to the lungs, and returns oxygenated blood back to the heart.

Question 7

What is “Systemic Circulation”?

Answer 7

It’s the part of the circulatory system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body, and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Question 8

What role does gas diffusion play in respiration?

Answer 8

Gas diffusion allows oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the lungs and blood, essential for respiration.

Question 9

How do physics of sound apply to respiration?

Answer 9

The physics of sound help understand the sounds produced by the respiratory system, which can be used for diagnostics (e.g., stethoscope sounds).

Question 10

How does elasticity relate to lung function?

Answer 10

The lungs’ elasticity allows them to expand and contract for breathing, influenced by factors like lung tissue properties and surface tension of the liquid lining the alveoli.

Question 11

Define “Spirometry”.

Answer 11

Spirometry is a common pulmonary function test that measures how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs.

Question 12

What is “Tidal Volume (TV)” in respiration?

Answer 12

TV is the volume of air moved into or out of the lungs during normal breathing.

Question 13

What is the importance of the “Ventilation Rate”?

Answer 13

It refers to the number of breaths taken per minute; changes in the ventilation rate can affect oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body.

Question 14

How does pressure change during inhalation and exhalation?

Answer 14

During inhalation, pressure in the lungs decreases to draw air in. During exhalation, pressure increases to force air out.

Question 15

Why are red blood cells important in gas exchange?

Answer 15

Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and return carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.

Question 16

What are the two main types of respiration?

Answer 16

• External respiration (gas exchange between lungs and blood)
• Internal respiration (gas exchange between blood and body tissues)

Question 17

What role does the diaphragm play in respiration?

Answer 17

The diaphragm contracts and relaxes to change chest cavity volume, driving air in and out of the lungs.

Question 18

How does blood pressure affect circulation?

Answer 18

Higher blood pressure means the heart must work harder to pump blood; consistently high blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to heart disease.

Question 19

Define “Hypertension”.

Answer 19

Hypertension is a medical condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.