Respiratory System Review & SG

🟢 [Recall] Describe the function of each of the following: nose, paranasal sinuses, and pharynx. (SG #1)

Nose - passage for respiration, warms and moistens entering air, filters air, resonating chamber, houses olfactory receptors

Paranasal Sinuses - Makes the skull lighter, warms and moistens air, and produces additional mucosa

Pharynx - Airway and food passage

🟢 [Recall] List the primary structures of the upper respiratory tract.

Nose, Paranasal Sinuses, and Pharynx

🟡 [Application] Explain how the nasal mucosa helps warm, moisten, and filter incoming air.

Because of the pseduostratified ciliated columnar epithelial cells, the nasal mucosa filters incoming air by collecting debris and pathogens on the cilia. Then, the inner goblet cells create a moist (and warm) environment

🔴 [Analysis] Predict what would happen to respiratory efficiency if nasal conchae were removed.

🟢 [Recall] Distinguish between the conducting and the respiratory zones. (SG #2)

The conducting zones are for ventilation, the process of taking outside air through the nose all the way down to the bronchi. Whereas, the respiratory zones are for gas exchange, which is within the alveoli and lungs

🟢 [Recall] Name the structures in each zone.

Respiratory Zone - Nose, Paranasal Sinuses, Pharynx, Larynx, Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchioles

Conducting Zone - Alveoli and lungs

🟡 [Application] Explain why gas exchange only occurs in the respiratory zone.

The respiratory membrane is found within the alveoli…

🔴 [Analysis] Predict how chronic inflammation of bronchioles (asthma) affects air exchange.

🟢 [Recall] Describe the structure, function, and location of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. (SG #3)

Larynx - Has nine cartilages; Below the pharynx; passageway for air and food, voice box, and sorts between air and food.

Trachea - Four layers (Mucosa which is pseudostratified ciliated columnar; submucosa which is a CT layter; hyaline cartilage); from the larynx to bronchi; air passageway

Bronchi - Primary and secondary bronchi, becomes bronchioles as they become smallers; begins after the trachea and are within the lungs; conducts air

🟡 [Application] Explain how the C-shaped cartilage of the trachea supports both swallowing and breathing.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict airflow consequences if tracheal cartilage rings were completely ossified.

🟢 [Recall] Describe the location and makeup (components) of the respiratory membrane. (SG #4)

Type 1 - Squamous epithelial cells that forms the walls

Type 2 - creates surfactant to coat the gas-exposed walls

Macrophages - Consume debris

🟡 [Application] Explain how the thinness of the respiratory membrane aids gas diffusion.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict how pulmonary edema would affect oxygen diffusion.

🟢 [Recall] Explain the functional importance of the partial vacuum in the intrapleural space. (SG #5)

The negative space prevents the lungs from collapsing on themselves. The pressures from the pleural and the thoracic cavity itself and fluid found in the pleural cavity keeps the pressure so negative that they slide against each other but never seperate.

🟢 [Recall] Define pneumothorax. (SG #5)

When the lungs collapse due to air coming into the pleural cavity and making the space not negative (or at 0mmHg)

🟡 [Application] Explain how the pleural fluid prevents lung collapse.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict what happens to lung volume if intrapleural pressure equals atmospheric pressure.

🟢 [Recall] State Boyle’s law and describe how it relates to inspiration and expiration. (SG #6)

Boyle’s law is the relationship between pressure and volume. They’re inversely correlated to each other, so if the volume increases, pressure decreases. This relates because air follows a pressure gradient

🔴 [Analysis] Predict effects on breathing if thoracic expansion is restricted (e.g., chest brace).

🟢 [Recall] Name the inspiratory muscles. (SG #7)

Intercostal muscles and diaphragm

🟡 [Application] Explain how contraction of the diaphragm and external intercostals causes inspiration.

The diaphragm descends and the ribcage expands to allow more volume of air in

🔴 [Analysis] Predict respiratory outcomes if the phrenic nerve were damaged.

🟢 [Recall] Explain and compare the various lung volumes and capacities. (SG #8)

1. Tidal Volume - Resting amount of inhalation and exhalation

2. Inspiratory Volume - Forced air inhaled after tidal inhalation (Deep breaths)

3. Expiratory Reserve Volume - Forced air exhaled after tidal exhalation

4. Residual Volume - the amount of air volume left in lungs after ERV

• Total Lung Capacity - Maximum amount of air in lungs after maximum inhalation

• Vital Capacity - Maximum air inhaled after maximum inhalation

• Inspiratory Capacity - Maximum amount of air inspired after a normal tidal volume expiration 

• Functional Residual Capacity - Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal tidal volume expiration

🟡 [Application] Why is residual volume essential for gas exchange?

It prevents the lungs from collapsing and ensures that oxygen can still be absorbed

🔴 [Analysis] Predict how emphysema changes vital capacity and total lung capacity.

🟢 [Recall] State Dalton’s law. (SG #9)

The total air pressure is equal to the sum of air molecules

🟡 [Application] Explain how Dalton’s law helps predict the movement of oxygen and CO₂.

The concentration of gasses determines at the rate that the gas will diffuse across the membrane AND gasses go from a high to low concentration gradient.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict effects on partial pressures at high altitude.

🟢 [Recall] State Henry’s law. (SG #10)

If a gas comes into contact with a liquid, it will dissolve into it.

🟡 [Application] Explain how Henry’s law relates to gas exchange between alveoli and capillaries.

Henry’s law is effected by the temperature and of the solubility of a gas. So, like CO2, if a gas has a high solubility rate, it will easily diffuse into the water or the humidity found in the Alveoli.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict what happens to nitrogen solubility in divers ascending too quickly.

🟢 [Recall] Can a gas in contact with a liquid dissolve in the liquid? (SG #11)

Yes

🟢 [Recall] What determines a gas’s solubility in a liquid? (SG #11)

If it’s touching and the temperature.

🟡 [Application] Compare the solubility of CO₂ and O₂ in plasma.

CO2 is 20x more soluble than O2

🔴 [Analysis] Predict effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on gas dissolution.

🟢 [Recall] Why does CO₂ diffuse out of pulmonary capillaries into alveolar air? (SG #12)

Internal respiratory loads CO2 into the bloodstream because the partial pressure found within the lungs/Alveolar air is less than the partial pressure within the blood.

🟡 [Application] Explain the relationship between partial pressure gradients and CO₂ diffusion.

Partial pressure is the pressure exerted by each gas in a mixture, and no matter what, gases follow a high to low concentration. So, if the blood has a high P_O2, the lungs will take in more O2 due to it having a lower amount.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict how hypoventilation would alter arterial CO₂ levels.

🟢 [Recall] Why is alveolar gas composition different from atmospheric air? (SG #13)

O2 is being diffused out of the lungs and CO2 is being diffused in. Then, the humidification of air in the conducting passages has CO2 diffusing more easily into it.

🟡 [Application] Explain how humidification and gas exchange affect alveolar gas composition.

ensures that the alveolar air composition is optimized for efficient oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal, contributing to the body's overall respiratory function.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict how prolonged breath-holding alters alveolar O₂ and CO₂ levels

🟢 [Recall] What is the difference between internal and external respiration? (SG #14)

External respiration carries gasses form our nose to blood whereas internal respiration carries gases from our blood to tissues.

🟡 [Application] Explain why CO₂ moves in opposite directions during the two processes.

The partial pressures within the blood and the alveoli allows gases to move from a high to low concentration

🔴 [Analysis] Predict how low tissue perfusion affects internal respiration.

🟢 [Recall] Name three factors that influence external respiration. (SG #15)

1. Thickness and surface area within respiratory membrane AKA Alveoli walls

2. Ventilation-Perfusion Coupling which regulates blood flow and gas reaching alveoli.

3. Partial pressure gradients and gas solubility which deals with how O2 comes into the body and is slowly dropped off. Then with how CO2 leaves the blood and is expelled from the body

🟡 [Application] Describe how alveolar ventilation or membrane thickness affects gas exchange.

There is more area for the gases to be absorbed, but for ventilation, there needs to be enough gas reaching the Alveoli

🔴 [Analysis] Predict effects of pulmonary fibrosis on external respiration.

🟢 [Recall] Define ventilation and perfusion; explain ventilation-perfusion coupling. (SG #16)

Ventilation is the amount of gas reaching the Alveoli and perfusion is the blood flow reaching the Alveoli

The coupling deals with regulation of ventilation and perfusion. P_O2 manages perfusion by changing arteriolar diameter. So, if there is more ventilation than blood flow, there is too much gas or oxygen entering the Aveoli but not enough blood to transport it. So, the arteries dialate to increase blood flow

P_^CO2 manages ventilation by dilatating or constricting the bronchioles

🟡 [Application] Describe how changes in local PO₂ and PCO₂ regulate blood flow and airflow.

As far as PCO2 transpires, when there is an increase or a high amount of CO2, the hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen decreases and unloads faster. So, there is a need for airflow to call for more oxygen

🔴 [Analysis] Predict what happens to coupling in pulmonary embolism.

🟢 [Recall] What factors control perfusion and ventilation? (SG #17)

P_O2 - Controls perfusion via arteries

P_CO2 - Controls ventilation via brochioles

🟡 [Application] Explain how bronchioles and arterioles adjust diameter to maintain balance.

From O₂ autoregulation, they just constrict

🔴 [Analysis] Predict effects of chronic airway obstruction on perfusion matching.

🟢 [Recall] How is oxygen carried in the blood? (SG #18)

🟢 [Recall] How many O₂ molecules can each hemoglobin molecule bind? (SG #19)

🟡 [Application] Explain how hemoglobin saturation changes with PO₂.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict the effect of anemia on oxygen transport.

🟢 [Recall] Name five factors that regulate how hemoglobin binds or releases O₂. (SG #20)

🟡 [Application] Explain the Bohr effect and how CO₂ and pH influence O₂ release.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict how fever or acidosis shifts the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve.

🟢 [Recall] Label the X- and Y-axes of the O₂-Hb dissociation curve; identify what A and B represent and why. (SG #21)

🟡 [Application] Explain how tissue oxygen demand alters the curve.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict how exercise affects curve position and oxygen delivery.

🟢 [Recall] How do CO₂ and temperature affect the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve? (SG #22)

🟡 [Application] Explain how increased CO₂ and temperature facilitate oxygen unloading in tissues.

🔴 [Analysis] Predict the physiological advantage of this shift during vigorous exercise.