Unit 4: Circulation, Respiration, Digestion, and Kidneys

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology related to the respiratory system as outlined in the lecture notes.

Respiratory System

The system responsible for oxygenating blood and eliminating CO2.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells synthesize ATP using glucose and oxygen.

Glucose

A simple sugar with the chemical formula C6H12O6, used in cellular respiration.

Oxygen (O2)

A gas required by cells for cellular respiration.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A waste product of cellular respiration.

Water (H2O)

A product of cellular respiration, essential for life.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder that causes thickening of mucus in the lungs.

Sickle Cell Anemia

A genetic disorder resulting from a mutation in hemoglobin, causing distorted red blood cells.

Diaphragm

A muscle that assists in the process of breathing by expanding and contracting the chest cavity.

Intercostal Muscles

Muscles located between the ribs that help expand and shrink the chest cavity during breathing.

Ventilation

The process of moving air in and out of the lungs.

Atmospheric Pressure (Patm)

The pressure exerted by the weight of air above a given point.

Partial Pressure

The pressure exerted by a single gas in a mixture of gases.

Diffusion

The process by which molecules move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that transport oxygen to tissues.

Type I Cells

Thin cells in alveoli that facilitate gas exchange.

Type II Cells

Cells in alveoli that secrete surfactant to reduce surface tension.

Surfactant

A substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli.

Oxygen Delivery

The process of transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.

CO2 Transport

The process of carrying carbon dioxide from tissues back to the lungs.

Oxygen-Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve

Graph depicting the relationship between oxygen saturation of hemoglobin and partial pressure of oxygen.

Cooperative Binding

The increased ease of oxygen binding due to the initial binding of oxygen to hemoglobin.

Oxygen Affinity

The tendency of hemoglobin to bind to oxygen.

Fetal Hemoglobin

A type of hemoglobin that has a higher affinity for oxygen than adult hemoglobin.

Blood Oxygen Homeostasis

The balance of oxygen levels in the blood.

Trachea

The windpipe; a passage through which air moves to the lungs.

Bronchi

The two major air passages from the trachea to the lungs.

Bronchioles

Small branches of the bronchi that lead to alveoli.

Mucus

A sticky substance that traps particles and pathogens in the respiratory tract.

Cilia

Hair-like structures that help move mucus and trapped particles out of the respiratory tract.

Breathing

Involves inhalation and exhalation processes in the respiratory system.

High Altitude

An environment with lower atmospheric pressure affecting oxygen diffusion.

Pressure Gradient

The difference in pressure that drives the movement of gases.

O2 Diffusion Pathway

The route O2 takes from alveoli to erythrocytes.

Epithelial Surface Area

The area of the lung surface that allows for gas exchange, maximized by alveoli.

Gas Exchange

The process of exchanging O2 and CO2 between the air and blood.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels where gas exchange occurs.

O2 Binding Sites

Areas on hemoglobin that bind oxygen molecules.

Globin Subunits

Four protein chains in hemoglobin that help bind oxygen.

Heme Group

A component of hemoglobin that contains iron and binds oxygen.

Iron Ion (Fe2+)

The component of the heme group that binds oxygen.

Ticking of Hemoglobin

The process whereby hemoglobin changes shape to release or bind oxygen.

Altitude Sickness Symptoms

Shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, and muscle pain caused by low oxygen.

Alveolar Space

The area within the alveoli where gas exchange occurs.

Equilibrium of PO2

The balance of oxygen pressure between plasma and erythrocytes.

Alveolar PO2

Partial pressure of oxygen within the alveoli.

Blood PO2

Partial pressure of oxygen in the bloodstream.

Mitochondria

The cellular organelles where cellular respiration occurs.

ATP Synthesis

The process of producing adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of cells.

Hydrophobic Molecules

Molecules that do not mix with water, allowing rapid diffusion across membranes.

Pressure and Volume Relationship

Inhalation increases volume and decreases pressure in the chest cavity.

Recoil of Chest Cavity

The process of the chest cavity returning to its original size during exhalation.

Transport Proteins

Not needed for O2 and CO2 diffusion due to their small size.

Sickle Cell Mutation

A genetic alteration that changes hemoglobin structure and function.

Beta-Globin Protein

A component of hemoglobin that is affected by sickle cell mutation.

Clumping of Hemoglobin

When hemoglobins aggregate due to structural changes in sickle cell anemia.