The Organization of the Respiratory System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the respiratory system and gas exchange processes.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Trachea

The windpipe that connects the larynx to the bronchi, allowing air to enter the lungs.

Dalton's Law

The total pressure of a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the individual pressures that each gas exerts.

Partial Pressure

The pressure that each gas in a mixture would exert if it occupied the entire volume alone.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen.

Deoxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin without any oxygen bound to it.

Gas Exchange

The process by which oxygen is taken up by the blood and carbon dioxide is released.

Cooperative Binding

A phenomenon where the binding of one molecule of oxygen to hemoglobin increases the likelihood of more oxygen molecules binding.

Fick's Law

Describes the rate of gas transfer, indicating that gas moves from high partial pressure to low partial pressure.

Capillary Density

The concentration of capillaries in a given area, which facilitates gas exchange.

Inspiratory Threshold

The point during exercise at which a person begins to breathe through the mouth instead of the nose.

Saturation of Hemoglobin

The percentage of hemoglobin molecules in the blood that are bound to oxygen.

Diffusion Coefficient

Constant that describes how quickly a specific gas can transfer across a membrane.

Total Air Pressure at Sea Level

760 millimeters of mercury, composed of various gases including oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.

Gas Transfer Rate

Rate at which gases are exchanged, influenced by partial pressure differences and membrane thickness.

Thick Tissues

Tissues where gas transfer slows down due to increased thickness, unlike the thin layers of alveoli and capillaries.

Loading and Unloading of Oxygen

The processes of oxygen binding to hemoglobin in the lungs and releasing from it in the tissues, respectively.