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MCAT - Biology > Chapter 6 - The Respiratory System > Flashcards

Chapter 6 - The Respiratory System Flashcards

1
Q

List the structures in the respiratory pathway, from where air enters the nares to the alveoli.

A
  1. Nares
  2. Nasal Cavity
  3. Pharynx (where air is warmed and humidified)
  4. Larynx
  5. Trachea
  6. Bronchi
  7. Bronchioles
  8. Alveoli
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2
Q

Where are the lungs located?

A

The thoracic cavity

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3
Q

What are Alveoli?

A

Small sacs that interface with the pulmonary capillaries, allowing gases to diffuse across a one-cell thick membrane.

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4
Q

What is Surfactant?

A

In the Alveoli; reduces surface tension at the liquid-gas interface, preventing collapse.

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5
Q

What is Pleurae?

A

Membranes that cover the lungs and line the chest wall.

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6
Q

What are the two types of Pleurae?

A
  1. Visceral: lies adjacent to the lung itself

2. Parietal: lines the chest wall

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7
Q

What is the Intrapleural Space?

A

What lies between the two Pleurae and contains a thin layer of fluid that lubricates the two pleural surfaces.

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8
Q

What is the Diaphragm?

A

A thin skeletal muscle that helps to create the pressure differential required for breathing.

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9
Q

Which muscles are involved in Inhalation?

A

Inhalation is an active process. The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles; in laboured breathing muscles of the neck and back may also be involved.

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10
Q

What muscles are involved in Exhalation?

A

Passive exhalation uses the recoil of the same muscles used for Inhalation. Active Exhalation also uses the internal intercostal muscles and the abdominal muscles.

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11
Q

Define Negative-Pressure Breathing

A

When the pressure differential expands the lungs, it drops the pressure within and draws in air from the environment.

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12
Q

What is a Spirometer?

A

Can be used to measure lung capacity and volume.

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13
Q

What is Total Lung Capacity? (TLC)

A

The maximum volume of air in the lungs when one inhales completely.

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14
Q

What is Residual Volume? (RV)

A

The volume of air remaining in the lungs when one exhales completely.

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15
Q

What is Vital Capacity? (VC)

A

The difference between the minimum and maximum volume of air in the lungs.

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16
Q

What is Tidal Volume? (TV)

A

The volume of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath.

17
Q

What is Expiratory Reserve Volume? (ERV)

A

The volume of additional air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal exhalation.

18
Q

What is Inspiratory Reserve Volume? (IRV)

A

The volume of additional air that can be forcibly inhaled after a normal inhalation.

19
Q

What is the mathematical relationship between VC, IRV, ERV and TV?

A

Vital capacity is the sum of IRV, ERV and TV.

20
Q

What regulates Ventilation?

A

The Ventilation Centre: a collection of neurons in the medulla oblongata.

21
Q

What are Chemoreceptors?

A

Respond to CO2 concentration increasing the respiration rate when there is a high concentration of CO2 in the blood (hyper carbon or hypercapnia). Can also respond to low oxygen concentrations in the blood (hypoxemia) by increasing ventilation rate.

22
Q

What else can control ventilation consciously?

A

The cerebrum: although the medulla oblongata will override the cerebrum during extended periods of hypo- or hyper- ventilation.

23
Q

If blood levels of CO2 become too low, how does the brain alter the respiratory rate to maintain homeostasis?

A

The brain can decrease the respiratory rate in order to raise CO2 levels.

24
Q

How do the lungs perform Gas Exchange?

A

With the blood through simple diffusion across concentration gradients.

25
Q

How is Deoxygenated blood transported?

A

Deoxygenated blood with a high CO2 concentration is brought to the lungs via the pulmonary arteries.

26
Q

How is Oxygenated blood transported?

A

Oxygenated blood with a low CO2 concentration leaves the lungs via the pulmonary veins.

27
Q

Define Thermoregulation

A

The large surface area of interaction between the alveoli and capillaries allows the respiratory system to assist in thermoregulation through vasodilation and vasoconstriction of capillary beds. ex: dogs take advantage of this cooling method via panting.

28
Q

What are three immune function mechanisms?

A

Vibrissae, mucous membranes, and the mucocilary escalator all help filter the incoming air and trap particle matter.

29
Q

What is Lysozime?

A

Attacks peptidoglycan cell walls of gram-positive bacteria with the help of saliva in the nasal cavity.

30
Q

How to Macrophages contribute to immune response?

A

Can engulf and digest pathogens and signal to the rest of the immune system that there is an invader.

31
Q

What are Mucosal Surfaces covered by?

A

IgA antibodies

32
Q

What are Mast Cells?

A

Have antibodies on their surface that, when triggered, can promote the release of inflammatory chemicals. Mast cells are often involved in allergic reactions.

33
Q

How is the respiratory system involved in pH control?

A

Through the bicarbonate buffer system.

34
Q

What is the ideal pH that the body tries to maintain?

A

Between 7.35 and 7.45

35
Q

What happens to respiration rate when pH is lower and hydrogen concentration is higher (acidemia)?

A

Respiration rate increases to compensate by blowing off CO2. This causes a left shift in the buffer equation, reducing hydrogen concentration.

36
Q

What happens to respiration rate when the pH is too basic (alkalemia)?

A

The body will increase pH; here respiration rate decreases to compensate by trapping CO2. This causes a right shift in the buffer equation, increasing hydrogen concentration.

37
Q

What is the chemical equation for the Bicarbonate Buffer System?

A

Catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase, carbon dioxide (CO2) reacts with water (H2O) to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), which in turn rapidly dissociates to form a bicarbonate ion (HCO−3 ) and a hydrogen ion (H+)

38
Q

Respiratory failure refers to inadequate ventilation to provide oxygen to the tissues. How would the pH change in respiratory failure?

A

Ventilation slows, and less CO2 is blown off. As this occurs, the buffer equation shifts to the right, and more hydrogen ions are generated. This results in a lower pH of the blood.

MCAT - Biology (12 decks)

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