Untitled Flashcards Set

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells, providing energy for various cellular functions.

Aerobic respiration

Respiration that requires oxygen and produces more ATP.

Anaerobic respiration

Respiration that does not use oxygen and produces less ATP.

Pulmonary ventilation

The act of moving air in and out of the lungs, also known as breathing.

External respiration

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the blood.

Internal respiration

The exchange of gases between blood and tissues.

Conducting zone

The part of the respiratory system that transports air to the respiratory zone without gas exchange.

Respiratory zone

The part of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs, including alveoli.

Pleura

A double-layered membrane surrounding the lungs.

Surfactant

A substance that reduces surface tension in alveoli, making it easier for them to inflate.

Lung compliance

The ability of the lungs to expand with ease during inhalation.

Lung elasticity

The ability of the lungs to return to their original shape after being stretched.

Trachea

A tube supported by C-shaped cartilage rings, connecting the larynx to the bronchi.

Primary bronchi

The two main branches of the trachea that enter each lung.

Respiratory membrane

The thin barrier between alveoli and capillaries, allowing gas exchange.

Type I alveolar cells

Thin, flat cells that form the walls of alveoli for efficient gas exchange.

Type II alveolar cells

Cells that secrete surfactant to reduce surface tension in alveoli.

Macrophages

Immune cells in the alveoli that remove debris and pathogens.

Pneumothorax

A condition where air enters the pleural cavity, causing lung collapse.

Hilum of the lung

The area where bronchi, blood vessels, and nerves enter and exit the lungs.

Cardiac notch

An indentation in the left lung that accommodates the heart.

Pulmonary arteries

Vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Pulmonary veins

Vessels that return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Bronchial arteries

Vessels that supply oxygenated blood to lung tissue.

Mucociliary escalator

A mechanism where cilia move mucus toward the throat for clearance.

Intrapulmonary pressure

The pressure within the alveoli that fluctuates with breathing.

Intrapleural pressure

The pressure within the pleural cavity; it is always slightly negative.

Atelectasis

The collapse of part or all of a lung, often due to blocked airways.

Intercostal muscles

Muscles that expand and contract the rib cage, assisting in lung expansion.

Epiglottis

A flap that closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway.

Larynx

The structure referred to as the 'voice box' responsible for sound production.

What is the chemical reaction for aerobic respiration?

Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + ATP.

What are the waste products of anaerobic respiration?

Lactic acid (in animals) or ethanol and carbon dioxide (in yeast) and a small amount of ATP.

What is a major benefit of aerobic respiration?

It provides a high yield of ATP, essential for energy-demanding activities.

What is hypercapnia?

An increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood, often due to inadequate gas exchange.

Explain the role of baroreceptors in the respiratory system.

Baroreceptors detect changes in pressure and help regulate breathing rate and depth.

What are pleural recesses?

Potential spaces in the pleura that can expand when the lungs inflate.

How do the lungs help regulate blood pH?

By controlling carbon dioxide levels through gas exchange, influencing blood acidity.

What is the Valsalva maneuver?

A technique involving forced exhalation against a closed airway to stabilize the core.

What is the function of the carotid and aortic bodies?

They are chemoreceptors that monitor blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, relaying information to the respiratory center.

What is the significance of respiratory rate?

It indicates metabolic demand and can be altered by factors such as exercise, illness

What is the Valsalva maneuver?

A technique involving forced exhalation against a closed airway to stabilize the core.

What is the function of the carotid and aortic bodies?

They are chemoreceptors that monitor blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, relaying information to the respiratory center.

How do the lungs help regulate blood pH?

By controlling carbon dioxide levels through gas exchange, influencing blood acidity.

What is hypercapnia?

An increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood, often due to inadequate gas exchange.

What mechanisms prevent food from entering the trachea?

The epiglottis closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent food entry.

Explain the significance of respiratory rate.

It indicates metabolic demand and can be altered by factors such as exercise or illness.

What are pleural recesses?

Potential spaces in the pleura that can expand when the lungs inflate.

Define the function of Type II alveolar cells.

They secrete surfactant to reduce surface tension in alveoli.

What is the importance of lung compliance?

It determines how easily the lungs can expand during inhalation.

Explain the role of macrophages in the alveoli.

They remove debris and pathogens, contributing to lung health.

Differentiate between pulmonary and bronchial arteries.

Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while bronchial arteries supply oxygenated blood to lung tissue.

What happens during forced expiration?

Accessory muscles contract to push air out forcefully from the lungs.

Describe the pressure changes during inhalation according to Boyle's Law.

When lung volume increases, intrapulmonary pressure decreases, allowing air to flow in.

What is the cardiac notch's functional importance?

It accommodates the heart's position within the thoracic cavity, allowing lung expansion.

How does the respiratory membrane facilitate gas exchange?

It provides a thin barrier for efficient diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between alveoli and blood.

What role does intrapleural pressure play in breathing?

The slightly negative pressure helps keep the lungs inflated during the respiratory cycle.

Describe atelectasis and its common causes.

Atelectasis is the collapse of part or all of a lung, often due to blocked airways or fluid in the pleural cavity.

What is the major function of the larynx?

It serves as the voice box, responsible for sound production and protecting the airway during swallowing.

What are the roles of respiratory muscles?

Muscles like the diaphragm and intercostals aid in the expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing.

How does surfactant impact lung function in infants?

Insufficient surfactant in premature infants can lead to respiratory distress due to collapsed alveoli.

What adaptations do the bronchi have for air passage?

They have cartilage rings and mucus to maintain open airways and trap debris.

How do external intercostal muscles assist during respiration?

They aid in expanding the thoracic cavity, promoting inhalation.

What is the mucociliary escalator and its purpose?

It clears mucus and trapped particles from the respiratory tract to maintain cleanliness.

How does oxygen transport differ in pulmonary vs systemic circulation?

Pulmonary circulation transports oxygen to the lungs for gas exchange, while systemic circulation delivers oxygenated blood throughout the body.

What are the primary functions of the nasal cavity?

To filter, warm, and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs.

What contribution does the diaphragm provide to the mechanics of breathing?

It flatens upon contraction, increasing thoracic volume and lowering pressure for air intake.

What structures are involved in the respiratory zone?

The respiratory zone includes structures like alveoli where gas exchange occurs.

Explain the term 'intrapulmonary pressure' in the respiratory context.

It is the pressure within the alveoli that fluctuates with breathing and is critical for air movement.

What happens to blood oxygen levels when the respiratory rate increases?

They generally rise due to more frequent gas exchange in the lungs.