Respiration Physiology Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is respiration?
the bodily processes involved in exchange of oxygen (02) and carbon dioxide (COz) between an organism and the environment
What does respiration consist of?or what are the two phases of breathing?
- Inspiration: the inhalation of air into the lung
- Expiration: breathing out
What are the functions of the respiratory system?
- Provides oxygen.
- Eliminates carbon dioxide.
- Regulates the blood’s hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in coordination with the kidneys.
- Forms speech sounds (phonation).
- Defends against microbes.
- Influences arterial concentrations of chemical messengers by removing some from pulmonary capillary blood and producing and adding others to this blood.
- Traps and dissolves blood clots arising from systemic (usually leg) veins.
What is the goal of respiration?
To provide 02 for the tissue and eliminate CO2
What is respiration composed of?
• external respiration
pulmonary ventilation & gas exchange in the lungs
• gas transport
• internal respiration
What is ventilation in the respiratory process?
It is the exchange of air between the atmosphere and alveoli by bulk flow.
What occurs during external gas exchange in the lungs?
O₂ and CO₂ are exchanged between alveolar air and blood in lung capillaries by diffusion.
What is gas transport in the respiratory system?
The transport of O₂ and CO₂ through pulmonary and systemic circulation by bulk flow.
What happens during internal gas exchange?
O₂ and CO₂ are exchanged between blood and tissue capillaries and cells by diffusion.
What is cellular respiration?
The cellular utilization of O₂ and the production of CO₂.
What processes make up external respiration?
Ventilation and gas exchange between alveoli and blood.
What processes make up internal respiration?
Gas exchange between blood and cells, and cellular respiration.
What structures are included in the upper respiratory tract?
Nasal cavity, nostrils, mouth, pharynx, and larynx.
What structures are included in the lower respiratory tract?
Trachea, bronchi (right and left main bronchus), and lungs.
How do you distinguish between the upper and lower respiratory tract anatomically?
The upper respiratory tract is located above the larynx, and the lower respiratory tract is located below the larynx.
Which parts of the respiratory tract are responsible for ventilation (air movemen)?
All the airways — from the nasal cavity to the bronchi — play a role in ventilation.
What are the components of the upper and lower airways?
• Upper airways: nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx
• Lower respiratory tract: trachea, bronchi, generations of branchings
What determines how easily airflow can occur in the airway?
Relaxation/contraction of circular smooth muscle.
Where does most gas exchange occur in the respiratory system?
In the ~8,000,000 alveolar sacs.
List 4 functions of the conducting zone of the airways.
- Provides a low-resistance airflow pathway.
- Defends against microbes and foreign matter.
- Warms and moistens the air.
- Produces sound (phonates).
What are the protective mechanisms in the airway?
• Cilia, glands, and epithelial cells secrete mucus.
• Macrophages engulf and destroy inhaled particles.
What are the key features of the gas exchange site in the lungs?
• Type I/II alveolar cells
• Pulmonary surfactant
• Capillary network
• Huge surface area
• Efficient gas exchange
What enables rapid diffusion of gases in alveoli?
Thin alveolar and capillary walls.
What does the extensive branching of alveoli produce?
lots of surface area for exchange between air and blood.
