Introduction to the Respiratory System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the respiratory system, including definitions and important physiological processes.

Pulmonary Respiration

The process of delivering oxygen (O2) to tissues and removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body.

Cellular Respiration

The metabolic process by which cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP, producing CO2 as a byproduct.

Ventilation

The mechanical process of moving air in and out of the lungs.

Diffusion

The movement of gases from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Conducting Zone

The part of the respiratory system responsible for filtering, warming, and humidifying air, extending from the nose to the base of the sternum.

Respiratory Zone

The part of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs, located from the sternum to the base of the lungs.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs at the end of the respiratory tree where gas exchange occurs; they are characterized by their thin walls.

Dead Space Air

Air that does not participate in gas exchange; includes both anatomical and mechanical dead space.

Intrapulmonary Pressure

The pressure within the lungs; it changes during breathing to facilitate air movement.

Partial Pressure

The individual pressure exerted by a particular gas in a mixture of gases; essential for understanding gas exchange.

Fick's Law of Diffusion

A principle stating that the rate of gas diffusion across a membrane is proportional to the surface area and the pressure difference and inversely related to the thickness of the membrane.

Bicarbonate Ion

The primary form in which carbon dioxide is transported in the blood; formed when CO2 combines with water to create carbonic acid.

Respiratory Rate

The number of breaths taken per minute; increases during exercise to meet oxygen demand.

Chemoreceptors

Sensors in the body that detect changes in chemical composition, including CO2 and pH, to regulate breathing.

Diaphragm

The main muscle involved in inspiration; when it contracts, it increases the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Collapsed Lung

A condition where the lung tissue fails to expand due to a pressure imbalance in the pleural cavity.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

A progressive lung disease characterized by airflow obstruction, often due to smoking or environmental factors.