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What are the five functions of the respiratory system?
What are the five functions of the respiratory system?
Provides extensive gas exchange surface area between air and circulating blood, Moves air to and from exchange surfaces of lungs, Protects respiratory surfaces from outside environment, Produce sounds, Participates in olfactory sense.
Into what two systems is the respiratory system divided?
Into what two systems is the respiratory system divided?
Which of the following structures are part of the upper respiratory system? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following structures are part of the upper respiratory system? (Select all that apply)
What is the main difference between the conducting portion and the respiratory portion of the respiratory tract?
What is the main difference between the conducting portion and the respiratory portion of the respiratory tract?
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What are the main structural components of the respiratory portion of the respiratory tract?
What are the main structural components of the respiratory portion of the respiratory tract?
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Alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries that support elastic fibers.
Alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries that support elastic fibers.
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Respiratory bronchioles are surrounded by smooth muscle cells that can change the diameter of these airways.
Respiratory bronchioles are surrounded by smooth muscle cells that can change the diameter of these airways.
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What is the primary function of alveoli in the respiratory system?
What is the primary function of alveoli in the respiratory system?
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The pulmonary arteriole carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
The pulmonary arteriole carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
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What type of tissue makes up the alveolar epithelium?
What type of tissue makes up the alveolar epithelium?
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What are the two main types of pneumocytes found in the alveoli?
What are the two main types of pneumocytes found in the alveoli?
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What is the function of surfactant in the lungs?
What is the function of surfactant in the lungs?
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Surfactant helps to keep the alveoli from collapsing.
Surfactant helps to keep the alveoli from collapsing.
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Explain the relation between surface tension and alveolar collapse.
Explain the relation between surface tension and alveolar collapse.
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What are the two major processes involved in respiration?
What are the two major processes involved in respiration?
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What does external respiration involve?
What does external respiration involve?
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What are the three processes involved in external respiration?
What are the three processes involved in external respiration?
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What is pulmonary ventilation?
What is pulmonary ventilation?
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What is the major mechanism that drives pulmonary ventilation?
What is the major mechanism that drives pulmonary ventilation?
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What is Boyle's Law, and how does it relate to pulmonary ventilation?
What is Boyle's Law, and how does it relate to pulmonary ventilation?
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In a confined gas, external pressure pushes the gas molecules closer together.
In a confined gas, external pressure pushes the gas molecules closer together.
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The movement of gas molecules exerts pressure on the container.
The movement of gas molecules exerts pressure on the container.
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What are inspiration and expiration, and how are they related to breathing?
What are inspiration and expiration, and how are they related to breathing?
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During inhalation, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, and the pressure inside the lungs decreases.
During inhalation, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, and the pressure inside the lungs decreases.
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During exhalation, the volume of the thoracic cavity decreases, and the pressure inside the lungs increases.
During exhalation, the volume of the thoracic cavity decreases, and the pressure inside the lungs increases.
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What is lung compliance?
What is lung compliance?
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Which of the following factors affect lung compliance?
Which of the following factors affect lung compliance?
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Fibrosis, a condition that stiffens the lungs, increases lung compliance.
Fibrosis, a condition that stiffens the lungs, increases lung compliance.
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Emphysema, a condition that damages the alveoli and weakens the lungs, decreases lung compliance.
Emphysema, a condition that damages the alveoli and weakens the lungs, decreases lung compliance.
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What is the normal atmospheric pressure, expressed in millimeters of mercury and kilopascals?
What is the normal atmospheric pressure, expressed in millimeters of mercury and kilopascals?
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What is tidal volume?
What is tidal volume?
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What is the respiratory minute volume?
What is the respiratory minute volume?
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Study Notes
Chapter 23: The Respiratory System
- The respiratory system has five main functions:
- Providing a large surface area for gas exchange between air and blood.
- Moving air in and out of the lungs.
- Protecting respiratory surfaces from the external environment.
- Producing sounds.
- Playing a role in the sense of smell.
Organization of the Respiratory System
- The respiratory system is divided into:
- Upper respiratory system (above the larynx): nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx.
- Lower respiratory system (below the larynx): larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.
Respiratory Tract
- The respiratory tract has a conducting and respiratory portion.
- Conducting portion: from the nasal cavity to terminal bronchioles (responsible for transporting air)
- Respiratory portion: respiratory bronchioles and alveoli (involved in the exchange of gases).
Alveoli
- Alveoli are air-filled pockets in the lungs.
- Gas exchange takes place in the alveoli.
- Alveoli have a large surface area to increase the rate of diffusion.
- Surrounded by capillaries, facilitating the exchange of gases with the blood.
Alveolar Epithelium
- Composed of simple squamous epithelium.
- Type I pneumocytes: majority of gas exchange.
- Type II pneumocytes: produce surfactant (a substance that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse)
Respiratory Portion
- Alveolar macrophages patrol the alveoli, removing dust and debris.
Surfactant
- An oily secretion that coats alveolar surfaces.
- Reduces surface tension, preventing alveolar collapse.
Pulmonary Ventilation (Breathing)
- Involves pressure changes.
- Air flows from high pressure to low pressure.
- Boyle's law describes the relationship between gas pressure and volume (P=1/V).
- Changes in thoracic cavity volume cause pressure changes, leading to airflow.
Mechanics of Breathing
- Inhalation:
- Diaphragm contracts, increasing thoracic cavity volume and decreasing pressure.
- Exhalation:
- Diaphragm relaxes, decreasing thoracic cavity volume and increasing pressure. Rib cage returns to original position.
- Muscles like internal intercostals and abdominal muscles actively decrease thoracic volume during forced exhalation.
Lung Measurements
- Respiratory rates and volumes change in response to oxygen demands.
- Measured using spirometry.
- Measures pulmonary ventilation, pulmonary volumes, and capacities.
- Tidal Volume (TV): the amount of air moved in and out of the lungs during a quiet breath.
- Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV): the amount of air that can be forcibly inspired after a normal inspiration.
- Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV): the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal exhalation.
- Residual Volume (RV): the amount of air remaining in the lungs after maximal exhalation.
Respiratory Performance and Volume Relationships
- Volumes like Tidal, Inspiratory Reserve, Expiratory Reserve and Residual Volume are used to determine capacities:
- Inspiratory Capacity (IC): the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal exhalation. (IC = IRV + TV)
- Functional Residual Capacity (FRC): the amount of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a normal exhalation. (FRC=ERV + RV)
- Vital Capacity (VC): the maximum amount of air that can be moved in and out of the lungs. (VC= IRV + TV + ERV)
- Total Lung Capacity (TLC): total volume of air that the lungs can hold.. (TLC = VC + RV)
Gas Exchange
- Occurs between the blood and alveolar air across the respiratory membrane.
- Depends on partial pressures of gases and diffusion across the membrane.
Gas Transport
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Red blood cells (RBCs), particularly hemoglobin, are vital for transporting O2 and CO2.
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Oxygen combines with hemoglobin, forming oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), to be transported.
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Carbon dioxide is transported in different ways like; as carbonic acid, bound to hemoglobin and dissolved in the plasma.
Control of Respiration
- Respiratory centers in the brain (medulla oblongata and pons) regulate breathing.
- Chemoreceptors (in the carotid and aortic bodies, and central chemoreceptors), are sensitive to blood PCO2, PO2 levels and pH.
- Adjusting respiratory rate and depth to maintain homeostasis.
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Description
Explore the functions and organization of the respiratory system in this quiz. Learn about the upper and lower respiratory systems and the key roles of the respiratory tract and alveoli in gas exchange. Test your understanding with questions on this essential biological system.