Gas Exchange Principles of Biology II

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to gas exchange in biology.

Gas exchange

The uptake of O2 from the environment and the discharge of CO2 to the environment.

Partial pressure

Each gas in a mixture exerts its own pressure as if no other gas was present.

Gradient

A difference in the concentration of a substance across a distance.

Aqueous environment

An environment consisting of water, where gas exchange occurs for aquatic organisms.

Solubility

The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent, leading to how oxygen concentration differs in air and water.

Gills

Specialized respiratory surfaces in aquatic organisms for gas exchange.

Countercurrent exchange

A mechanism allowing efficient gas exchange in fish, where blood flows in the opposite direction to the water.

Lamellae

Thin membranous plates in fish gills where oxygen diffusion takes place.

Unidirectional water flow

Water flows in one direction across gills for efficient oxygen absorption.

Tracheal system

The network of tiny tubes in insects that transport air directly to cells.

Spiracles

Tiny external openings in insects that lead to the trachea for gas exchange.

Conducting zone

The regions of the respiratory system that provide passageways for air but do not participate in gas exchange.

Respiratory zone

The parts of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs, such as alveoli.

Alveolar sacs

Clusters of alveoli that provide large surface areas for gas exchange.

Surfactant

A substance released in the alveoli that reduces surface tension and prevents collapse.

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)

A condition seen in premature infants due to a deficiency of pulmonary surfactant.

Positive pressure breathing

A method of inflating lungs by forcing air in, as seen in amphibians.

Bird respiratory cycle

The two-phase breathing process involving anterior and posterior air sacs for efficient gas exchange.

Negative pressure breathing

A mechanism by which air is pulled into the lungs by expanding the thoracic cavity.

Tidal volume

The volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal breath.

Vital capacity

The maximum amount of air that can be inhaled or exhaled with effort.

Control of breathing

The regulation of breath by signals sent from the brain based on CO2 levels and blood pH.

Hemoglobin

A respiratory pigment in blood that binds oxygen for transport.

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin bound to oxygen.

Deoxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin that has released oxygen.

Cooperativity

A phenomenon where the binding of one oxygen molecule to hemoglobin increases the affinity for additional oxygen molecules.

Bohr effect

A physiological phenomenon where decreased pH results in hemoglobin releasing more oxygen.

Haldane effect

The phenomenon where deoxygenated hemoglobin can bind more carbon dioxide.

Myoglobin

An oxygen-binding protein found in muscle cells, with a higher affinity for oxygen than hemoglobin.

Carbon dioxide transport

The ways in which CO2 is carried in the bloodstream, including dissolved gas, carbamino compounds, and bicarbonate ions.

Carbonic anhydrase

An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate and protons.

Chloride shift

The exchange of bicarbonate and chloride ions across the erythrocyte membrane to maintain ionic balance.

Pulmonary ventilation

The movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Inspiratory muscles

Muscles, including the diaphragm, that facilitate breathing by changing lung volume.

Residual volume

The amount of air left in the lungs after a forceful exhalation.

Inspiratory reserve volume

The extra air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation.

Expiratory reserve volume

The extra air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal exhalation.

Functional residual capacity

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

Total lung capacity

The maximum amount of air the lungs can hold, including all volumes.

Intercostal muscles

Muscles located between the ribs that assist in breathing.

Intrapulmonary pressure

The pressure within the lung alveoli during breathing.

Afferent blood vessels

Vessels bringing oxygen-poor blood to the gills for oxygenation.

Efferent blood vessels

Vessels carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the gills to the body.

Plasma

The liquid component of blood that carries cells and proteins.

Bicarbonate ions

The primary form in which carbon dioxide is transported in the blood.

Respiratory centers

Regions in the brain responsible for controlling the rhythm and rate of breathing.

Central chemoreceptors

Receptors in the brain that respond to changes in pH of cerebrospinal fluid.

Peripheral chemoreceptors

Receptors located in carotid arteries and aorta that monitor blood pH and gas levels.

Pulmonary capillaries

Tiny blood vessels surrounding alveoli where gas exchange occurs.

Systemic capillaries

Vessels exchanging gases at the tissue level between blood and body tissues.

Metabolic waste

Byproducts produced by cellular metabolism, including CO2.

Diffusion gradient

The difference in concentration that drives molecules from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration.

Human respiratory system

The system comprising structures involved in gas exchange, including lungs and air passages.

Ventilation

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

External respiration

Gas exchange occurring in the lungs between air and blood.

Internal respiration

Gas exchange occurring at the tissue level between blood and cells.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Pulmonary arteries

Vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs.

Maximal effort

The greatest amount of air that can be inhaled or exhaled with exertion.

Respiratory adaptations

Specialized features that enhance gas exchange efficiency in different organisms.

Breathing cycles

Phases of inhalation and exhalation that facilitate ventilation.

Muscular contraction

The tightening of muscles, such as during inhalation, to increase volume in the thoracic cavity.

Muscular relaxation

The process of muscle lengthening, such as during exhalation.

Nasal cavity

The passage that filters, warms, and humidifies air before it enters the lungs.

Pharynx

The throat region where air and food passages intersect.

Larynx

The voice box that contains the vocal cords and connects the pharynx to the trachea.

Trachea

The windpipe that conducts air from the larynx to the bronchi.

Bronchi

The two large tubes branching from the trachea into each lung.

Bronchioles

Small branches of bronchi that lead to alveoli.

Inspiration

The process of taking air into the lungs.

Expiration

The process of expelling air from the lungs.

Pulmonary ventilation mechanics

The physical processes involved in breathing.

Aquatic respiration

The method by which aquatic organisms extract oxygen from water.

Energy expenditure

The amount of energy consumed during the performance of respiratory functions.

Facilitated diffusion

Passive transport of substances across a membrane with the aid of a protein.