The Gas Laws and Breathing

These flashcards cover key concepts related to gas laws and breathing processes taught in Dr. Omar Mamad's lecture, emphasizing diffusion, partial pressure variations, the role of surfactants, osmotic effects, and complications arising from near-drowning.

What is diffusion in respiration?

Diffusion is the process where gas molecules move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration, driven by random, elastic collisions.

What drives diffusion?

Diffusion is driven by random, elastic collisions between gas molecules.

What is the importance of elastic collisions in gas behavior?

No energy is lost during elastic collisions, allowing gas molecules to maintain their velocity.

What is the average velocity of gas molecules?

Most gas molecules have velocities near the speed of sound (about 344 m/s).

How quickly do O2 and CO2 diffuse through the alveolar wall?

O2 and CO2 can quickly diffuse through the alveolar wall into capillaries, establishing equilibrium in about 1 second.

What happens to gas partial pressures during respiration?

Changes in gas partial pressures occur swiftly, typically within ~0.75 seconds.

What is Tidal Volume in respiration?

Tidal Volume is the amount of air exchanged during normal respiration, approximately 500 ml.

What is Anatomical Dead Space?

Anatomical Dead Space is the volume of air in the trachea and bronchi not exposed to pulmonary capillaries, about 150 ml.

How does snorkelling affect lung function during respiration?

Snorkelling extends the Anatomical Dead Space, making a person feel out of breath quicker compared to swimming.

What is Laplace’s equation's role in alveolar function?

Laplace’s equation predicts that smaller alveoli will collapse first during exhalation.

What are surfactants and their function in the lungs?

Surfactants are surface-active agents that reduce surface tension in alveoli, preventing collapse.

How does surface tension affect alveoli during breathing?

Surface tension contributes to the force in expiration, and surfactants help to regulate it.

What happens to surfactant concentration during inhalation?

During inhalation, surfactant surface concentration is low, resulting in high surface tension.

What change occurs to surfactant during exhalation?

During exhalation, surfactant molecules are forced closer together, increasing their concentration and reducing surface tension.

What is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature babies?

RDS occurs due to insufficient surfactant production, resulting in labored and strenuous breathing.

What osmotic pressure effects occur across semi-permeable membranes?

Osmotic pressures occur where there is a difference in solute concentration across a semi-permeable membrane.

What happens to red blood cells in hypotonic solutions?

In hypotonic solutions, water diffuses into RBCs, causing them to swell and burst (lysis).

What effect does hypertonic solution have on red blood cells?

In hypertonic solutions, RBCs lose water, shrivel up, and experience crenation.

What is the treatment protocol for near-drowning incidents?

The treatment depends on the type of water aspirated into the lungs: saltwater or freshwater.

What happens if seawater is aspirated into the lungs?

Aspirated saltwater is hypertonic, forcing plasma into the lungs and leading to secondary drowning.

What happens when fresh water is aspirated into the lungs?

Aspirated fresh water is hypotonic, causing it to flow from the lungs into the bloodstream, stressing the heart.

How does water in the lungs affect surfactant?

Water dilutes surfactant's effectiveness, making respiration difficult; it is critical to remove the fluid.

What role does osmosis play in lysis and crenation?

Osmosis causes cells to swell and burst (lysis) in hypotonic environments and shrink in hypertonic environments.

What is the impact of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs?

Oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange alters partial pressures rapidly during respiration.

How does breathing in stale air affect oxygen levels in the alveoli?

Stale air in the alveoli has low oxygen concentration, resulting in less oxygen reaching the bloodstream.

What is the surface tension's contribution to breathing?

Surface tension in the alveoli assists with the mechanics of breathing and gas exchange.

What occurs to smaller alveoli during expiration according to Laplace’s law?

Smaller alveoli are more likely to collapse first during expiration.

Why is child ventilatory intervention sometimes necessary with premature infants?

Premature infants may need ventilation due to insufficient surfactant production leading to breathing issues.

How does the respiratory system ensure efficient gas exchange?

The respiratory system maintains concentration gradients for efficient oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion.

What physiological changes contribute to the sensation of breathlessness when snorkeling?

Increased dead space volume from snorkelling reduces effective oxygen delivery, causing quicker breathlessness.

What is the significance of total lung capacity?

Total Lung Capacity is the maximum volume of air that the lungs can hold.

How do surfactants help prevent alveolar collapse?

Surfactants reduce surface tension, allowing alveoli to remain open and inflate more easily.

What are the main constituents of surfactant?

Surfactant consists of long molecules of lipo-proteins that modify surface tension.

How does Laplace’s equation relate to lung mechanics?

It relates to alveolar collapse, predicting that smaller alveoli will collapse under certain conditions.

What influences the variation in surfactant concentration in the lungs?

Surfactant concentration varies with area, being lower during inhalation and higher during exhalation.

What mechanism brings new air into the alveoli?

New air enters the alveoli primarily via diffusion along concentration gradients.

How does the residual volume impact respiratory function?

Residual Volume is the air left in the lungs after maximum exhalation, essential for preventing lung collapse.

What is the significance of the functional residual capacity in respiration?

Functional Residual Capacity is the volume of air that remains in the lungs at the end of a normal exhalation.

What role does the spirometer play in respiratory physiology?

A spirometer measures the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs.

How does breathing mechanics differ with snorkelling versus swimming?

Snorkelling adds more dead space with the snorkel, requiring greater effort for oxygen intake compared to swimming.

What is the relationship between surfactant and pressure in alveoli of different sizes?

Surfactants equalize pressure between alveoli of different sizes, preventing collapse of smaller ones.

How do fluid dynamics change during inhalation and exhalation due to surfactant?

Surfactant concentration changes during breathing alter surface tension, assisting effective gas exchange.

What is the physiological effect of hypertonic fluids on the lungs?

Hypertonic fluids in the lungs draw water out of cells, potentially leading to secondary drowning.

What adaptations are made to address complications of water aspiration in drowning victims?

Treatment depends on the type of water aspirated and aims to remove fluids effectively to restore normal respiration.

What is the impact of relaxation on respiratory mechanics?

Relaxation during breathing contributes to passive exhalation and influences how effectively gas is exchanged.

How can ventilators support lung function?

Ventilators provide controlled pressure inflations to assist patients, particularly those whose alveoli may collapse.

What is the effect of breathing stale air on the body during normal respiration?

Breathing stale air reduces oxygen intake due to the presence of carbon dioxide from the last breath.

What happens to gas mixtures in the lungs during their transfer from one breath to the next?

Gas mixtures exchange continually between fresh air influx and stale air retention, impacting overall respiration.

What defines the concept of equilibrium in breathing?

Equilibrium in breathing is established when oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations balance across alveolar walls.

How does respiratory physiology evolve combatting challenges like near-drowning?

Understanding of osmotic pressure effects informs treatment approaches for individuals affected by near-drowning incidents.

What defines the physiological principles behind gas exchange in the respiratory system?

Gas exchange relies on diffusion, concentration gradients, partial pressure variations, and surface tension management.

In what ways can adaptations to surfactant improve respiratory efficiency?

Adaptations enhance surfactant function to alleviate surface tension, improving gas exchange and lung stability during breaths.

What factors influence the surfactant's action during breathing cycles?

Surfactant efficiency varies with lung volume changes during breathing cycles, affecting overall lung function.