Respiratory System Flashcards

What two types of respiration are there?

Aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Which form of respiration requires oxygen?

Aerobic respiration.

What are the primary gases exchanged in respiration?

Oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Which system works with the respiratory system for gas exchange?

The cardiovascular system.

Define external respiration.

Gas exchange between the lungs and blood.

Define internal respiration.

Gas exchange between blood and body tissues.

What is the respiratory zone?

Area with microscopic structures for gas exchange.

What is the conducting zone?

Passageways that carry air to the respiratory zone.

What epithelium lines the nasal cavity’s olfactory mucosa?

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium.

Name the three regions of the pharynx.

Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx.

Which cartilage blocks the larynx during swallowing?

The epiglottis.

Which structure is the voice box?

The larynx.

How many cartilages make up the larynx?

Nine.

What are the three paired cartilages of the larynx?

Arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform.

What is the trachea commonly known as?

The windpipe.

What type of cartilage forms the tracheal rings?

Hyaline cartilage.

Where does the trachea split into primary bronchi?

At the carina.

How many lobar bronchi are in the right lung?

Three.

How many lobar bronchi are in the left lung?

Two.

Name the smallest structure in the conducting zone.

Terminal bronchioles.

What happens to cartilage as airways get smaller?

It decreases.

What increases in smaller bronchioles?

Smooth muscle.

What structures are in the respiratory zone?

Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs.

What cells produce surfactant in alveoli?

Type II alveolar cells.

What is surfactant’s role?

Reduces surface tension in alveoli.

What are pulmonary arteries responsible for?

Carrying deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What do pulmonary veins do?

Return oxygenated blood to the heart.

What membrane surrounds the lungs?

The pleura.

What is intrapleural pressure?

Pressure within the pleural cavity.

What happens if intrapleural pressure equals atmospheric pressure?

Lung collapse.

What is pneumothorax?

Air in the pleural cavity causing lung collapse.

State Boyle’s Law.

Pressure is inversely proportional to volume.

What happens to lung volume during inspiration?

It increases.

What happens to pressure in the lungs during inspiration?

It decreases.

What causes air to flow into the lungs?

Lower pressure inside the lungs compared to outside.

What happens to lung volume during expiration?

It decreases.

What is pulmonary ventilation?

Movement of air into and out of the lungs.

What is tidal volume?

Air volume in a normal breath.

What is inspiratory reserve volume?

Volume of air inhaled beyond a normal breath.

Define expiratory reserve volume.

Volume of air exhaled beyond a normal exhalation.

What is residual volume?

Air remaining in lungs after forced exhalation.

Differentiate between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases.

Obstructive blocks airflow; restrictive limits lung expansion.

What is partial pressure?

Pressure exerted by an individual gas in a mixture.

How much oxygen do we exhale?

About 16%.

Why does partial pressure decrease with altitude?

Lower atmospheric pressure.

Why does CO₂ diffuse at the same rate as O₂ despite a smaller gradient?

CO₂ is more soluble.

Where is most O₂ carried in the blood?

Bound to hemoglobin.

How many oxygen molecules can hemoglobin carry?

Four.

What is hypoxia?

Inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues.

What is cyanosis?

Bluish coloration due to low oxygen.

Name a cause of hypoxic hypoxia.

Low hemoglobin levels.

How is most CO₂ transported?

As bicarbonate in blood.

What is the chloride shift?

Exchange of chloride ions with bicarbonate in RBCs.

What happens to blood pH when CO₂ increases?

pH decreases.

What causes hyperventilation?

High CO₂, low O₂, or acidic blood pH.

Define hyperventilation.

Excessive ventilation reducing blood CO₂.

What is asthma?

Reversible bronchospasm and inflammation.

Name two diseases under COPD.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

What happens to the heart with COPD?

Right ventricular enlargement.

What is the role of alveolar macrophages?

Engulf foreign particles in alveoli.

Alveolar macrophages

Immune cells in the alveoli that remove debris and pathogens.

Diaphragm during inspiration

Contracts and moves downward.

Intercostal muscles

Help expand and contract the rib cage.

Quiet vs. Forced Breathing

Quiet breathing occurs at rest; forced breathing occurs during physical activity or stress.

Spirometry

A test used to measure lung volumes and capacities.

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration.

Vital Capacity

The maximum amount of air a person can exhale after a maximum inhalation.

Dead Space

Air that fills the conducting zone and does not participate in gas exchange.

Hypoventilation

Inadequate ventilation, leading to high CO₂ levels in the blood.

Respiratory Alkalosis

A condition where CO₂ levels drop, raising blood pH.

Respiratory Acidosis

A condition where CO₂ levels increase, lowering blood pH.

Haldane Effect

Deoxygenated blood can carry more CO₂.

Bohr Effect

Hemoglobin's oxygen binding decreases with increased CO₂ and lower pH.

Minute Ventilation

Total volume of air entering or leaving the lungs per minute.

Medulla Oblongata

Structure in the brain that controls involuntary respiration.

Pons

Brain structure that modifies breathing during speech and emotional responses.

Apnea

Temporary cessation of breathing.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Body's response to high CO₂ levels

Increases the rate and depth of breathing.

Main stimulus for breathing

High levels of CO₂ in the blood.

Low oxygen effect on chemoreceptors

Stimulates them to increase ventilation.

Altitude effect on oxygen saturation

Lower atmospheric pressure at high altitudes reduces oxygen saturation.

Bronchoconstriction

Narrowing of the bronchi, often due to allergens or irritants.

Effect of sympathetic stimulation on bronchi

Causes bronchodilation.

Purpose of mucociliary escalator

To trap and move particles out of the respiratory tract.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid accumulates in the alveoli, impairing gas exchange.

Function of nasal conchae

Increase the surface area for warming and moistening air.

Significance of respiratory membrane

Site where gas exchange occurs between alveoli and blood.

Respiratory system regulation of blood pH

By adjusting CO₂ levels through breathing rate.

Carbon monoxide effect on oxygen transport

Binds to hemoglobin more strongly than oxygen, reducing oxygen delivery.