The Respiratory System Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the function and structure of the respiratory system?
The function is gaseous exchange - the exchange of O2 and CO2 between the capillaries and alveoli.
The structure of the respiratory system:
O2 diffuses into nose and mouth during inhalation, then travels through the trachea and moves into the bronchi. It then travels through the bronchioles and into the alveoli where gaseous exchange occurs and O2 diffuses into the capillaries.
What are the respiratory muscles and their roles?
Diaphragm - contracts and flattens during inhalation at rest. relaxes and moves upwards, back into its dome position during exercise. main muscle used in respiration.
External intercostals - contracts and pulls the ribcage up and out during inhalation. relaxes and pulls the ribcage down and in during exhalation.
Sternocleidomastoid - used during exercise and inspiration.
Scalenes - used during exercise and inspiration.
Pectoralis minor - used during exercise and inspiration.
What happens to the inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume and tidal volume during exercise?
Inspiratory reserve volume - decreases.
Expiratory reserve volume - slight decrease.
Tidal volume - increases.
What are the factors that affect the respiratory control centre (medulla)?
Low blood pH - a result of an increase of CO2 in the bloodstream.
Chemoreceptors - detects changes in CO2. they pick up and send signals through the CNS to the medulla. the phrenic nerve takes it to the diagram.
Baroreceptors - detects changes in blood pressure. pick up signals and send them through the CNS to the medulla. the phrenic nerve takes it to the diaphragm.
Proprioreceptors - detects changes in movement.
Thermoreceptors - detects changes in temperature.
What is the effect of smoking on the respiratory system?
Smoking and vaping can have negative effects such as constricting bronchioles.
What are adaptations to training on the respiratory system?
External intercostals and other respiratory muscles become stronger.
Increased capillarisation.
Greater mitochondrial density -> leads to more oxygen being able to be processed.
Greater use of IRV and ERV -> increased TV?
Increased saturation of myoglobin.
Greater density of capillaries in the alveoli.
During inspiration at exercise, what other muscles hep to pull up the ribcage?
Sternocleidomastoid.
Pectorals.
Scalenes.
What nerve is connected to the diaphragm?
The phrenic nerve.
Tidal volume
Air in or out in a normal breath.
Increases during exercise.
500ml at rest.
Inspiratory reserve volume
Volume of air that can be inhaled forcefully after a normal breath in.
Decreases during exercise.
3100ml at rest.
Expiratory reserve volume
Volume of extra air inhaled during a deep breath.
Decreases during exercise.
1200ml at rest.
Residual volume
Air left in the lungs after maximum exhalation.
Stays the same during exercise.
1200ml at rest.
Inspiratory capacity
Tidal volume + Inspiratory reserve volume.
4800ml during rest.
Vital capacity
Maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after maximum inhalation.
Decreases during exercise.
6000ml at rest.
Minute ventilation
The total volume of air inhaled or exhaled in one minute.
Tidal volume x Respiratory rate.
Increases during exercise.
6000ml at rest.
