Chapter 23 - Respiratory System Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts from Chapter 23 of the respiratory system, including definitions, functions of organs, gas exchanges, and effects of various diseases.

What is respiration?

The process of exchanging gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the environment.

List the functions of the respiratory system.

Gas exchange, regulation of blood pH, vocalization, olfaction, and protection against pathogens.

What organs are part of the upper respiratory tract?

Nose, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and pharynx.

What organs are part of the lower respiratory tract?

Larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

Differentiate between the conducting zone and the respiratory zone.

Conducting zone includes structures that transport air (trachea, bronchi), while the respiratory zone is where gas exchange occurs (alveoli).

What type of epithelium is found in the respiratory tract?

Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium in the upper tract and simple squamous epithelium in the alveoli.

What are the functions of the nose?

Warms, moistens, and filters incoming air.

What is the function of the nasal conchae?

Increase the surface area of the nasal cavity and enhance air turbulence.

What is the role of the paranasal sinuses?

Lighten the skull, produce mucus, and contribute to resonance in voice.

What is the function of the pharynx?

Gateway for air and food, also aids in vocalization.

What is the purpose of the larynx?

To produce sound and protect the airway during swallowing.

How does air get conditioned?

By warming, humidifying, and filtering processes in the upper respiratory tract.

Differentiate between true and false vocal cords/folds.

True vocal cords are involved in sound production, while false vocal cords help protect the airway.

How is sound produced in the larynx?

Sound is produced by the vibration of true vocal cords as air passes through.

What determines the pitch of sound?

Length and tension of the vocal cords.

What factors affect the range and loudness of sound?

Air pressure and volume of airflow from the lungs.

What structures are used for articulation?

Tongue, lips, teeth, and hard/soft palate.

How does laryngitis affect sound production?

Causes inflammation that alters or eliminates the ability to produce sound.

What is the function of the trachea?

To provide a clear airway for air to move in and out of the lungs.

List the functions of bronchi and bronchioles.

Conduct air into the lungs and participate in airway resistance and airflow control.

What is the function of alveoli?

Sites for gas exchange between air and blood.

Describe the histological changes in bronchi and bronchioles.

Bronchi have a cartilage structure, while bronchioles have smooth muscle and no cartilage.

What types of cells are found in the alveoli?

Type I alveolar cells (gas exchange), Type II alveolar cells (surfactant production), and macrophages.

What is the respiratory membrane?

A thin barrier that separates alveolar air from blood in capillaries for gas exchange.

What is intrapleural pressure?

The pressure within the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs.

What is intrapulmonary pressure?

The pressure inside the airways and alveoli.

Define pulmonary ventilation.

The process of moving air into and out of the lungs.

What is inspiration?

The process of taking air into the lungs.

What is expiration?

The process of expelling air from the lungs.

Define eupnea.

Normal, relaxed breathing pattern.

What is Boyle's law?

The principle that decreases in volume result in increases in pressure and vice versa.

What muscles are involved in quiet inhalation?

Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles.

What happens during forced breathing?

Additional muscles (abdominals, internal intercostals) are engaged for more forceful air movement.

What is bronchoconstriction?

Narrowing of the bronchial airways, decreasing airflow.

What is bronchodilation?

Widening of the bronchial airways, increasing airflow.

What is surfactant?

A substance produced by Type II cells that reduces surface tension in the alveoli.

What factors influence pulmonary ventilation?

Airway resistance, lung compliance, and surface tension.

What is compliance in relation to the lungs?

The ability of the lungs to expand and contract.

How do respiratory diseases affect airflow?

They can increase resistance and decrease lung compliance, making breathing more difficult.

Differentiate pulmonary gas exchange from tissue gas exchange.

Pulmonary gas exchange occurs in the lungs, while tissue gas exchange occurs in the body's tissues.

What does Dalton’s law state?

The total pressure of a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of its individual gases.

What is Henry’s law?

The amount of gas that dissolves in liquid is proportional to its partial pressure.

What gas is most abundant in the air?

Nitrogen.

How does atmospheric air differ from alveolar air?

Alveolar air has a higher concentration of carbon dioxide and water vapor compared to atmospheric air.

What drives pulmonary gas exchange?

Partial pressure gradients of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Describe the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the alveoli.

Higher oxygen and lower carbon dioxide compared to the pulmonary capillaries.

How does surface area affect gas exchange?

A larger surface area increases the efficiency of gas exchange.

What factors drive tissue gas exchange?

Partial pressure gradients of gases in capillaries and tissues.

How is carbon dioxide transported in the blood?

Dissolved in plasma, as bicarbonate, or bound to hemoglobin.

What equation represents the conversion of CO2 in erythrocytes?

CO2 + H2O ↔ H2CO3 ↔ HCO3- + H+.

How is oxygen transported in the blood?

Mainly bound to hemoglobin as oxyhemoglobin.

What is oxyhemoglobin?

Hemoglobin bound to oxygen.

What is deoxyhemoglobin?

Hemoglobin that has released its oxygen.

Where do gases attach on hemoglobin?

At the iron atoms in the heme groups.

What is the significance of the oxygen-hemoglobin saturation curve?

It shows how hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen changes with varying partial pressures of oxygen.

What factors increase oxygen release at tissues?

Increased temperature, carbon dioxide, and decreased pH (Bohr effect).

How does hemoglobin saturation change with P O2 levels?

It increases with higher P O2 and decreases with lower P O2.

What occurs during exercise regarding oxygen delivery?

Increased oxygen release due to higher CO2 and lactic acid levels.

What is an oxygen reserve?

The amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin that is available for use when needed.

What function do the respiratory centers serve?

Regulate the rhythm and rate of breathing.

List the receptors involved in breathing homeostasis.

Chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors.

What nerves control the respiratory muscles?

Phrenic nerve for diaphragm and intercostal nerves for intercostal muscles.

How does exercise influence the respiratory rate?

Increases due to higher metabolic demand for oxygen.

What is hypoventilation?

Decreased breathing rate leading to increased carbon dioxide levels.

What is hyperventilation?

Increased breathing rate leading to decreased carbon dioxide levels.

Define hypercapnia.

An excess of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.

Define hypocapnia.

A deficiency of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.

How do blood gas levels change with hypoventilation?

Increased CO2 and decreased pH.

What is altitude sickness?

Symptoms caused by reduced oxygen availability at high altitudes.

How does smoking affect respiration?

Damages lung tissues and reduces gas exchange efficiency.

What is the impact of asthma on respiration?

Causes airway constriction and increased resistance.

What effect does emphysema have on lungs?

Deteriorates alveoli, reducing surface area for gas exchange.

How does pneumonia affect gas exchange?

Fluid accumulation in alveoli impedes gas exchange.