Gas Exchange and Transport

These flashcards summarize key concepts from the lecture on gas exchange and transport, focusing on gas laws, transport mechanisms, and respiratory regulation.

What is Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures?

The total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures exerted by each gas.

How does the oxygen transport in the blood occur?

1.5% dissolved in plasma and 98.5% loosely bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells.

What does Henry's Law state about gases in water?

Gases dissolve in water in proportion to their partial pressure.

What is the primary influence on external respiration?

Thickness and surface area of the respiratory membrane, as well as partial pressure gradients.

What happens to the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve during hyperventilation?

It does not significantly increase loading of O2 on hemoglobin, as it reduces CO2 levels.

How is carbon dioxide primarily transported in the blood?

7-10% dissolved in plasma, 20-30% bound to hemoglobin, and 60-70% as bicarbonate ions.

What is the Bohr effect?

H+ and CO2 enhance O2 unloading where needed most.

What is the Haldane Effect?

Deoxygenated blood has an increased capacity to carry CO2.

What is the influence of CO2 on blood pH?

The carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system resists changes in blood pH, with HCO3 acting as an alkaline reserve.

What controls respiration rates?

Neural controls in the medulla and pons, influenced by Pco2 levels and arterial pH.