HS&F - Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the conducting zone in relation to the respiratory system?

Answer 1

The airways that transport air from the external environment to the sites of gas exchange in the lungs

• Nose
• Pharynx
• Larynx
• Trachea
• Bronchus
• Bronchiole

Question 2

What is the respiratory zone?

Answer 2

Components of the lungs that have thin walls and allow for gas exchange of O2 and CO2 into and out of the blood

• Bronchiole
• Alveolar duct
• Alveoli

Question 3

What does pO2 and pCO2 mean?

Answer 3

pO2 - partial pressure of oxygen (mmHg)

pCO2 - partial pressure of carbon dioxide (mmHg)

Helps explain the movement of gases during external respiration (in lungs) and internal respiration (in tissues).

Question 4

Boyle’s law states:
‘As lung volume increases, pressure inside __________’

Answer 4

Decreases

Question 5

Does Dalton’s law cover…:

A) Gas Movement
B) Altitude

Answer 5

B) Altitude

“Total air pressure is the sum of each gas’s pressure in the mix.”

At higher altitudes, total air pressure is lower, so pO₂ is lower—even though oxygen is still ~21% of air. This means less oxygen is available to breathe in.

Question 6

Which law is Graham’s and which is Henry’s

“Gases move from high pressure to low pressure across membranes.”

“More oxygen dissolves into blood when alveolar pO₂ is higher.”

Answer 6

Graham’s - “Gases move from high pressure to low pressure across membranes.”

Henry’s - “More oxygen dissolves into blood when alveolar pO₂ is higher.”

Question 7

What are the primary muscles involved in inhalation and exhalation?

Answer 7

Diaphragm + Intercostal muscles

Question 8

What is Respiratory Rate (Bf)

Answer 8

The number of breaths taken per minute.

Question 9

What is Tidal Volume (TV)?

Answer 9

The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal, resting breath

Question 10

What is Minute Ventilation (VE)?

Answer 10

Volume of air inhaled per minute

Question 11

What do these stand for?
1. D
2. CaO2
3. CvO2
4. PCAPO2
5. PMITOO2

Answer 11

1. Diffusion capacity
2. Arterial oxygen content
3. Venous oxygen content
4. Partial pressure of oxygen in the capillaries
5. Partial pressure of oxygen in the mitochondria

Question 12

Define Convection

Answer 12

Convection refers to the movement of air into and out of the lungs—from the atmosphere to the alveoli and back—driven by pressure differences created during breathing.

Question 13

Define diffusion

Answer 13

Movement of gases from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, across a thin membrane.

Question 14

Convection and Diffusion are vital for performance. Which equation is for Convection and which is for Diffusion?

VO2 = Q x [CaO2 - CvO2]

VO2 = D x [PCAP02 - PMITOO2]

Answer 14

Convection - VO2 = Q x [CaO2 - CvO2]

Diffusion - VO2 = D x [PCAP02 - PMITOO2]

Question 15

Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2 max - ml per kg, per minute)
Sedentary - 35-45 ml/Kg/min
Trained human - 55-65 ml/kg/min

What would a typical VO2 max value of a elite endurance athlete be?

Answer 15

Approximately 80 ml/Kg/min

Question 16

What do these stand for in relation to single breath performance?

1. PEF
2. FVC
3. FEV
4. FEV1

Answer 16

1. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
2. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
3. Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV)
4. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)

Question 17

What is Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)?

Answer 17

The maximum speed at which a person can forcefully exhale air from their lungs

Question 18

What is Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)?

Answer 18

The total amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after taking a deep breath in and exhaling as hard and fast as possible.

Question 19

What is Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV)?

Answer 19

A measure of how much air a person can forcibly exhale in a specific amount of time during a forced breath out after taking a deep breath in.

Question 20

What is meant by Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)?

Answer 20

A measurement of how much air a person can exhale forcefully in the first second after a full breath in

Question 21

What is this test called?
Exercise on a treadmill or a stationary bike while your oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output are measured.The test gradually increases in intensity until you reach your maximum effort.

Answer 21

VO2 Max test

Question 22

What is the Respiratory Compensation Point (RCP)?

Answer 22

The moment during high-intensity exercise when there is an exponential rise in breathing rate (ventilation), leading to an exponential increase in the amount of CO₂ being expelled.

Question 23

What is the Gas Exchange Threshold (GET)?

Answer 23

The point during exercise when carbon dioxide output (VCO₂) begins to rise disproportionately to oxygen uptake (VO₂), indicating the onset of increased anaerobic metabolism

Question 24

Name 3 ways Carbon dioxide is transported in the blood

Answer 24

1. Dissolved in solution
2. Buffered with water as carbonic acid
3. Bound to proteins particularly Haemoglobin

Question 25

What are the 4 exercise intensity domains

Answer 25

1. Moderate 2. Heavy 3. Severe 4. Extreme

Question 26

How do the respiratory thresholds link to the exercise intensity domains?

Answer 26

GET - Signals the shift from moderate to heavy exercise RCP - Signals the shift from heavy to severe exercise VO2 Max - Signals exercise is severe where a person can reach their maximum speed but also reach their VO2 Max. A person can hold their VO2 max for approximately 3 minutes before exhaustion depending on fitness levels. Maximal speed/power = extreme exercise (anaerobic)

Question 27

When exercise intensity increases, lactic acid builds up, releasing hydrogen ions (H⁺) that lower blood pH — making it more acidic. How does the body deal with an increase in acidity due to increased exercise intensity?

Answer 27

- The main buffer is the bicarbonate system (HCO₃⁻). It combines with excess H⁺ to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which then breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. The CO₂ is then exhaled via the lungs. - As acidity rises, your breathing rate increases sharply to expel the extra CO₂ created by buffering.

Question 28

What is considered 'steady state' during exercise?

Answer 28

Refers to a condition in which the body's physiological responses (such as heart rate, oxygen consumption, and lactate production) stabilise and remain relatively constant over time despite the demands of the activity. In moderate exercise - 3 mins to achieve steady state

Question 29

What is the difference between a Step Test and a Ramp Test?

Answer 29

Step Test: - Intensity increases in set stages (steps), with each stage lasting a fixed duration (e.g. 1–3 minutes) - Allows time for the body to reach a steady state at each intensity - Useful for measuring steady-state responses like heart rate, VO₂, and lactate. Ramp Test: - Intensity increases continuously and gradually, usually every second or few seconds — no flat stages. - No steady state, so it's a smooth, progressive increase until exhaustion. - Useful for measuring VO₂ max or maximal aerobic power.

Question 30

What test can be used to measure how much air you can breathe in and out, and how fast you can do it.

Answer 30

Spirometry test

Question 31

What does the Douglas Bag test measure?

Answer 31

- Oxygen consumption (VO₂) - Carbon dioxide production (VCO₂) - Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) = VCO₂ / VO₂ - Energy expenditure (calories burned)

Question 32

On a Flow Volume Loop graph, which side of the X axis represents inspiration and which side represents expiration (above/below)

Answer 32

Above X axis = Expiration Below X axis = Inspiration

Question 33

How does altitude effect gas exchange?

Answer 33

As altitude increases: - Atmospheric (barometric) pressure decreases - Partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) decreases - But: Oxygen percentage (~21%) stays the same This drop in pressure reduces the driving force for oxygen to enter the blood during gas exchange in the lungs.

Question 34

What is the Fick Equation

Answer 34

VO2 = Q x (a-vO2 diff) It describes the relationship between oxygen consumption (VO₂), cardiac output (Q), and the difference in oxygen content between arterial and venous blood (a-vO₂ diff).

Question 35

What is Barometric Pressure?

Answer 35

How much air is pressing down on you at a given point on Earth (also known as atmospheric pressure).