Respiration

Question 1

Explain how a named respiratory dysfunction affects the functions of the bronchitisg

Answer 1

Asthma

Muscles within bronchi contract resulting in constriction of the bronchi

Reduce/narrows the bronchi and consequently the airways

Lumen become inflamed

Results in ‘tightness’ of the chest and reduced airflow

Question 2

Explain how this affect on the bronchi may be detected using a named diagnostic test and then be treated (6)

Answer 2

Peak flow test Asthma

Measures forced expiration and measures how fast and how forceful expiration is

Constricted bronchi result in low readings

Athsma in children usually diagnosed from medical history

Question 3

What are the causes of athsma

Answer 3

Caused by inflammation of small tubes called bronchi which carry air in and out of the lungs

Bronchi will become inflamed with asthma and more sensitive than normal

Coming into contact with ‘triggers’ that irritates the lungs causes airways to become narrow, muscles around them tighten, increase production of mucus (phlegm)

Triggers - house dust mites, animal fur, pollen, cigerette smoke, exercise, viral infections, emotions eg laughter

Question 4

How is asthma treated

Answer 4

Reliever inhalers - blue
Taken when needed to reduce symptoms quickly.
Normally contain medicine (beta2-agonist) which widens airways and makes breathing easier.
Last no longer than 15 minutes

Side effects - mild shaking of hands, headaches, muscle cramps, fluttering heartbeat

Preventer inhaler - brown/orange
Used twice or occasionally during the day to stop symptoms occurring
Contain inhaled steroid medication which reduces the inflammation and swelling and sensitivity of airways
Important to use them regularly - don’t work straight away
Helps to get inflammation in breather tubes under control

Side effects - fungal infection of mouth or throat
Hoarse voice and sore throat

Steroid tablets
Powerful medications that can reduce inflammation in airways
Used as an immediate short term treatment if patient has severe asthma Attacsks
Long term treatment if other medicines don’t control patients symptoms well enough

Side effects 
Osteoporosis 
High blood pressure
Increased appetite/weight gain
Mood changes

Question 5

Describe how the alveoli of her lungs are adapted for their function

Answer 5

Millions of aveoli - providing large surface area for gaseous exchange

One cell thick - thin squamous epithelial allowing rapid diffusion of gases

Surrounded by water layer on inner surface - allow oxygen to dissolve

Elasticated - allows expansion

Intimate association with capillaries - to facilitate gaseous exchange

Question 6

Explain function of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in lungs

Answer 6

Function.
Oxygen required for cellular respiration.
Needed to provide energy for life processes especially in muscles
Oxygen consumption increases after exercise - repaying oxygen dept
Oxygen has to be transported to body tissue by blood

Carbon dioxide is a by-product of cellular respiration
Dissolves in cytoplasm and blood plasma becoming carbonic acid
Increasing levels of carbonic acid result in blood acidosis
Results in falling pH
Potentially would result in malfunction of enzymes leading to death
Carbon dioxide therefore must be expelled from the body - lungs main site of removal

Process
Diffusion across alveoli walls from capillaries - very thin distance (one cell thick)
Large surface area to maximise amount of diffusion taking place
Have moist lining to help them dissolve gases
Surrounded by tiny capillaries so there is high volume of blood for gases to pass in and out of
Maintenance of diffusion distance kept constant by ventilation

Question 7

Structure and function of trachea, larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, intercostal muscles, diaphragm and pleural membranes

Answer 7

Trachea - wide, hallow tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi and lungs. Long tube made of cartilage rings and offers support to the neck and lungs.

Larynx - houses the vocal chords, manipulates pitch and volume, situated just below where the tract of the pharynx splits into the trachea and the oesophagus

Bronchi - main passageway to the lungs. Represents the airway in the respiratory tract at conducts air into lungs. Branch off into smaller bronchioles.