Respiration/Boyle's Law

what is respiration

the act of exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide at the alveolus and systemic tissues for usage of cellular processes

what are the 4 steps of respiration

1. pulmonary ventilation (taking air in and pushing it out)

2. external respiration (gas exchange at lungs)

3. internal respiration (gas exchange at the target tissues)

4. transport of gases (gas traveling in the blood stream)

define intrapleural pressure

the pressure that exist between the 2 pleura caused by the serous fluid creating suction between the two layers

define boyle’s law

pressure and volume are inversely related (pressure inc = volume Dec)

how does boyle’s law effect respiration

it allows air to flow into the lungs because of changes in thoracic volume and pressure differences inside vs outside the thoracic cavity

describe the process of air entering and exiting the lungs and how boyle’s law contributes

1. between breathes everything is at rest

2. inspiration - diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract (volume inc, pressure Dec, air goes in

3. between inspiration and expiration contraction is held

4. expiration - diaphragm and external intercoastal muscles relax (volume Dec, pressure inc, air goes out)

define quiet inspiration

contraction of the diaphragm and external intercostal mm. inc size of thoracic cage

define forced inspiration

sternocleidomastoid and the pectoralis minor mm. are recruited in times of respiratory distress

what is a main difference in how inspiration and expiration take place

muscles are involved in inspiration while expiration is a passive process

define quiet expiration

only requires the relaxation of inspiratory muscles and the elastic recoil of the lung tissue and pleura

define forced expiration

internal intercoastal and the rectus abdominis are recruited in times of forceful exhalation