Week 8 Learning Outcomes Flashcards
What are the main components of the upper respiratory system?
Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx
The upper respiratory system is responsible for filtering, warming, and humidifying air.
What are the main components of the lower respiratory system?
Trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli
The lower respiratory system is primarily involved in gas exchange.
What is the difference between the conducting and respiratory zones?
Conducting zone: transports air; Respiratory zone: site of gas exchange
The conducting zone includes structures such as the trachea and bronchi, while the respiratory zone includes the alveoli.
What are the functions of the nasal cavity?
Filter, warm, and humidify air
The nasal cavity also houses olfactory receptors for the sense of smell.
What is the function of the alveoli?
Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide)
Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs that facilitate the exchange of gases.
What is the function of surfactant in the respiratory system?
Reduces surface tension in the alveoli
Surfactant helps prevent alveolar collapse and aids in lung expansion.
What is Boyle’s Law in relation to ventilation?
Pressure inversely related to volume
Boyle’s Law explains how changes in lung volume during breathing affect air pressure.
What are the mechanisms of respiration?
Inhalation and exhalation, gas exchange
Respiration involves both the mechanical process of ventilation and the exchange of gases in the alveoli.
What are partial pressures in gas exchange?
The pressure exerted by a single gas in a mixture
Partial pressures are crucial for understanding how gases diffuse in the lungs.
What mechanisms control respiration?
Neural and chemical regulation
The brainstem, particularly the medulla oblongata and pons, plays a key role in regulating breathing.
