Respiratory Physiology: Gas Exchange and Transport

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to gas exchange and transport in respiratory physiology.

Alveoli

Functional units of the lung where gas exchange occurs.

Henry’s Law

At a given temperature, the amount of a particular gas in solution is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas.

Partial Pressure Gradient

The difference in pressure of a gas between two areas, leading to gas exchange.

Bohr Effect

The phenomenon where an increase in CO2 and H+ reduces hemoglobin's affinity for O2, promoting O2 release.

Haldane Effect

The principle that deoxygenated hemoglobin binds H+ more readily, thus facilitating CO2 pickup.

Diffusion Coefficient

A measure of how easily a gas diffuses; related to solubility and molecular weight.

Factors Affecting Gas Exchange

Surface area, thickness of the membrane, and diffusion coefficient influence the rate of gas transfer.

Hemoglobin Saturation

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

Gas Transport Mechanisms

Different methods by which O2 and CO2 are transported in the blood; for O2, mainly bound to hemoglobin, for CO2, mainly as bicarbonate.

Emphysema

A condition that decreases surface area of the lungs, affecting gas exchange efficiency.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Increased thickness of the alveolar membrane that can hinder gas exchange.

Carbonic Anhydrase

An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of CO2 and H2O into bicarbonate ions.

Gas Exchange in Lungs

The process by which oxygen is absorbed into the blood and carbon dioxide is released from the blood into the alveoli of the lungs.

Oxygen Transport in Blood

Oxygen is primarily transported in the blood bound to hemoglobin, with a smaller amount dissolved in plasma.

Carbon Dioxide Transport in Blood

Carbon dioxide is transported mainly as bicarbonate ions, with some bound to hemoglobin and a small amount dissolved in plasma.

Diffusion in Gas Exchange

Gas exchange occurs through diffusion, where gases move from areas of higher partial pressure to areas of lower partial pressure.

Role of Alveoli

Alveoli are the functional units where gas exchange occurs, providing a large surface area for efficient oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide removal.

Factors Influencing Gas Exchange

Factors such as surface area, membrane thickness, and diffusion coefficient affect the rate of gas exchange in lungs and tissues.

Tissue Gas Exchange

In tissues, oxygen is delivered to cells while carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product, is taken up from cells into the blood.

Bohr Effect in Tissues

In active tissues, increased CO2 and H+ concentration promote the release of oxygen from hemoglobin, enhancing oxygen delivery where needed.

Oxygen Transport in Blood

Oxygen is primarily transported in the blood bound to hemoglobin, with a smaller amount dissolved in plasma.

Carbon Dioxide Transport in Blood

Carbon dioxide is transported mainly as bicarbonate ions, with some bound to hemoglobin and a small amount dissolved in plasma.

Hemoglobin Saturation

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

Gas Transport Mechanisms

Different methods by which O2 and CO2 are transported in the blood; for O2, mainly bound to hemoglobin, for CO2, mainly as bicarbonate.

Bohr Effect

The phenomenon where an increase in CO2 and H+ reduces hemoglobin's affinity for O2, promoting O2 release.

Haldane Effect

The principle that deoxygenated hemoglobin binds H+ more readily, thus facilitating CO2 pickup.

Factors Affecting Gas Exchange

Surface area, thickness of the membrane, and diffusion coefficient influence the rate of gas transfer.

Factors Influencing Gas Exchange

Factors such as surface area, membrane thickness, and diffusion coefficient affect the rate of gas exchange in lungs and tissues.

Diffusion Coefficient

A measure of how easily a gas diffuses; related to solubility and molecular weight.

Hemoglobin Saturation

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

Gas Transport Mechanisms

Different methods by which O2 and CO2 are transported in the blood; for O2, mainly bound to hemoglobin, for CO2, mainly as bicarbonate.

Bohr Effect

The phenomenon where an increase in CO2 and H+ reduces hemoglobin's affinity for O2, promoting O2 release.

Haldane Effect

The principle that deoxygenated hemoglobin binds H+ more readily, thus facilitating CO2 pickup.

Emphysema

A condition that decreases surface area of the lungs, affecting gas exchange efficiency.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Increased thickness of the alveolar membrane that can hinder gas exchange