epithelial tissue

what is epithelial tissue

• lines the outer surface of internal organs or blood vessels

what are the key characteristics of goblet cells & ciliated columnar epithelial

• found in trachea and bronchi

• contain many mitochondria

• cilia beat debris in the continuously opposite direction that air is travelling from

• produce mucus to trap debris to prevent further travel into the lungs

• walls are reinforced with c-shaped hyaline cartilage to keep airways open

what are key characteristics of alveoli

• flattened and one cell thick

• short diffusion pathway

• large surface area

• egg shaped nucleus

what is the importance of squamous epithelial cells being one cell thick

• allows rapid diffusion of oxygen into the lungs and blood

• maintains high concentration gradient prevents collapsing

• large surface for gas exchange

• prevented collapsing of alveoli

what does COPD stand for

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

what causes COPD

• air pollution

• smoking

• biomass exposure

• dust

what are the symptoms of COPD

• chronic and excessive cough

• limited airflow

• bronchiole airway inflammation

• smooth muscle constriction

• shortness of breath

• wheezing

• chest tightness

what are the affects of COPD on the respiratory system

• alveoli could break open and merge together, decreasing surface area and making gas exchange difficult

• decreased amounts of oxygen due to getting trapped

• goblet cells increase mucus production, causing cilia to struggle beating continuously & mucus containing pathogens moves further down

• decreased mitochondria, less atp energy for cilia to continuously beat