Introduction: Anatomy of lungs, airways and blood supply (functions of respiratory system) Flashcards Preview

Respiratory Physiology > Introduction: Anatomy of lungs, airways and blood supply (functions of respiratory system) > Flashcards

Flashcards in Introduction: Anatomy of lungs, airways and blood supply (functions of respiratory system) Deck (36)
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1
Q

What are the main functions of the respiratory system?

A

Gas exchange
Acid-Base Balance
Protection from infection
Communication via speech

2
Q

What is the process of burning oxygen to release energy and produce CO2 as a waste product called?

A

Cellular respiration

3
Q

What is the respiratory system responsible for?

A

Acquiring O2 and removing CO2

4
Q

What is the cardiovascular system responsible for?

A

Transporting O2 to tissues and CO2 away from tissues

5
Q

What does the integration of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems allow for?

A

The movement of gases between the air and the body’s cells known as external respiration

6
Q

The pulmonary artery travels where and carries what?

A

Away from the heart towards the lungs carrying de-oxygenated blood and CO2 for expiration

7
Q

The pulmonary vein travels where and carries what?

A

Towards the heart from the lungs carrying re-oxygenated blood ready to be pumped around the body

8
Q

What is the opposite of the pulmonary circulation?

A

Systematic circulation

9
Q

Gas exchange occurs at the lungs and the…

A

Systematic capillaries into cells

10
Q

What does an increase in rate and depth of breathing during exercise speed up?

A

O2 acquisition and waste disposal of CO2

11
Q

What does and increase in heart rate and force of contraction speed up during exercise?

A

O2 delivery to muscle via blood

Waste removal of CO2 via blood

12
Q

In the steady state, the net volume of oxygen exchanged in the lungs per unit time is equal to what? Does the same apply to CO2?

A

The net volume exchanged in the tissues. The same also applied to CO2

13
Q

What does this steady state “constant” ensure?

A

Ensures the supply always equals the demand and stops gas build up in circulation that would hamper gas exchange

14
Q

Average volumes of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchanged per minute?

A

O2 - 250ml

CO2 - 200ml

15
Q

What is the average breathing rate at rest in adults?

A

10-20 per min

16
Q

Max breathing rate during exercise for adults?

A

40-45 per min

17
Q

The point of gas exchange in the lungs is the…

A

Alveoli

18
Q

Airway diameter and therefore resistance to airflow can be altered by…

A

Activity of bronchial smooth muscle

19
Q

If contraction decreases the diameter of the airways, the resistance…

A

Increases

20
Q

What is each cluster of alveoli surrounded by?

A

Elastic fibres

Capillary network

21
Q

What are alveoli composed of?

A

Type 1 cells for gas exchange

Type 2 cells for production of surfactant

22
Q

What do alveolar macrophages do?

A

Ingest foreign material that reaches the alveoli

23
Q

Is there elastic fibres between the capillaries and the type 1 cells?

A

No, would hamper gas exchange

24
Q

What is the function of the upper airways?

A

Conduction of air to and from the alveoli

25
Q

What is the air in the upper airways that is left there known as?

A

Anatomical dead space

26
Q

Alveoli’s large surface area means?

A

Better gas exchange

27
Q

Is the respiratory tract cilliated?

A

Yes

28
Q

What type of epithelium is in the tract?

A

Pseudo-stratified, ciliated, columnar

29
Q

What else does the respiratory tract have?

A

Glands
Lymph nodes
Blood vessels (nutritive)
Mucous

30
Q

In the progression from the nose to the alveoli, what changes occur in the epithelium?

A

Epithelium becomes more squamous
Mucous cells are lost
Cilia are lost

31
Q

What does the mucous in the tract do?

A

Moistens and humidifies air
Traps particles
Provides large surface area for cilia to act on

32
Q

What type of pneumocytes make up 97% of the alveolar surface?

A

Type 1

33
Q

What are type 1 pneumocytes made from?

A

Simple squamous epithelium

34
Q

What type of pneumocytes are responsible for surfactant production and secretion

A

Type 2

35
Q

What are the main components of surfactant?

A

Phospholipids and protein

36
Q

Function of surfactant?

A

Reduces surface tension at alveolar surface

Reduces work of breathing