respiratory system

Question 1

main functions of the respiratory system

Answer 1

• pulmonary ventilation: inspiration and expiration
• gaseous exchange: internal and external

Question 2

perfect conditions for gaseous exchange

Answer 2

• warm, moist, larger surface area, ciliated cells to filter air

Question 3

how is oxygen carried

Answer 3

• 97% with haem as oxyhemoglobin
• 3% in blood plasma

Question 4

how is carbon dioxide carried

Answer 4

• 70% dissolved in water as carbonic acid
• 23% carried with haem as carbaminohaemoglobin
• the rest is dissolved in plasma

Question 5

breathing rate (f)

Answer 5

represents the number of inspirations or expirations taken in one minute

Question 6

average f value

Answer 6

• rest: 12 - 20 bpm
• exercise: 40 - 50

Question 7

f value for an endurance athlete

Answer 7

• rest: 10 - 12 bpm
• exercise: 50 - 60 bpm

Question 8

tidal volume (TV)

Answer 8

volume of air inspired or expired per breath

Question 9

average and endurance athlete resting TV value

Answer 9

500 ml

Question 10

average and endurance athlete exercise TV value

Answer 10

• average: 2.5l - 3l
• athlete: 3l - 3.5l

Question 11

minute ventilation (VE)

Answer 11

• volume of air inspired or expired per minute
• tidal volume x breathing frequency

Question 12

average VE value

Answer 12

• rest: 6 l/min
• exercise : 100 - 150l/min

Question 13

endurance athlete VE values

Answer 13

• rest: 5 l/min
• exercise: 160 - 210 l/min

Question 14

breathing rate response to exercise

Answer 14

• increases in proportion to the intensity of exercise
• plateaus in sub-max as the oxygen demand can be met

Question 15

tidal volume response to exercise

Answer 15

• increases in proportion to the intensity of exercise
• plateaus in sub-max as f doesn’t allow enough time for maximal in/expirations

Question 16

minute ventilation response to exercise

Answer 16

• increases inline with with exercise intensity
• plateaus during sub-max as we reach a steady state (meets O2 demand)

Question 17

minute ventilation response to recovery

Answer 17

• rapid decrease followed by a slower decrease to resting levels

Question 18

mechanics of inspiration at rest

Answer 18

• active process in which the external intercostals and diaphragm contract
• lifts rib cage up and out, increases thoracic cavity, decreases pressure, air rushes in

Question 19

mechanics of inspiration during exercise

Answer 19

• additional muscles: sternocleidomastoid and pectoralis minor, contract with more force
• moves ribs up and out MORE, thoracic cavity increases more, pressure decreases more, more air rushes in

Question 20

mechanics of expiration at rest

Answer 20

• passive process
• external intercostals and diaphragm relax returning lungs to its natural state

Question 21

mechanics of expiration during exercise

Answer 21

• active process
• additional muscles: internal intercostals and rectus abdominis contract with more force
• ribs move down more, thoracic cavity decreases more, pressure increases more, more air rushes out