Podcast
Questions and Answers
What adaptation of the respiratory membrane facilitates efficient gas exchange in the alveoli?
What adaptation of the respiratory membrane facilitates efficient gas exchange in the alveoli?
- Presence of multiple layers of endothelial cells
- Increased thickness of the basement membrane
- Decreased number of capillaries surrounding each alveolus
- Large surface area and minimal thickness (correct)
In systemic veins, which of the following partial pressure values would be expected for oxygen ($pO_2$) and carbon dioxide ($pCO_2$)?
In systemic veins, which of the following partial pressure values would be expected for oxygen ($pO_2$) and carbon dioxide ($pCO_2$)?
- $pO_2 = 104$ mmHg, $pCO_2 = 40$ mmHg
- $pO_2 = 40$ mmHg, $pCO_2 = 45$ mmHg (correct)
- $pO_2 = 45$ mmHg, $pCO_2 = 40$ mmHg
- $pO_2 = 95$ mmHg, $pCO_2 = 40$ mmHg
Which structural feature is NOT part of the diffusion membrane in the alveoli?
Which structural feature is NOT part of the diffusion membrane in the alveoli?
- Endothelium of alveolar capillaries
- Thin squamous epithelium of alveoli
- Smooth muscle layer (correct)
- Basement substance
Why does carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) diffuse more readily across the respiratory membrane compared to oxygen ($O_2$), given the same partial pressure gradient?
Why does carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) diffuse more readily across the respiratory membrane compared to oxygen ($O_2$), given the same partial pressure gradient?
Which direction does carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) primarily move due to its concentration gradient?
Which direction does carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) primarily move due to its concentration gradient?
Inspired air and alveolar air differ in their partial pressures of oxygen ($pO_2$) and carbon dioxide ($pCO_2$). What is the general relationship between these pressures?
Inspired air and alveolar air differ in their partial pressures of oxygen ($pO_2$) and carbon dioxide ($pCO_2$). What is the general relationship between these pressures?
Which of the following is the correct order of gas exchange from the alveolus to the red blood cell?
Which of the following is the correct order of gas exchange from the alveolus to the red blood cell?
Given the partial pressures of oxygen ($pO_2$) in the alveoli (104 mmHg) and pulmonary artery (40 mmHg), what is the approximate oxygen partial pressure gradient that facilitates diffusion?
Given the partial pressures of oxygen ($pO_2$) in the alveoli (104 mmHg) and pulmonary artery (40 mmHg), what is the approximate oxygen partial pressure gradient that facilitates diffusion?
Which statement correctly relates blood vessels to gas exchange?
Which statement correctly relates blood vessels to gas exchange?
The total thickness of the diffusion membrane is much less than a millimeter. How does this contribute to efficient respiration?
The total thickness of the diffusion membrane is much less than a millimeter. How does this contribute to efficient respiration?
Flashcards
Gas exchange at alveoli
Gas exchange at alveoli
Exchange of O₂ and CO₂ between alveoli and blood.
Gas exchange at tissues
Gas exchange at tissues
Exchange of gases between blood and body tissues.
Partial pressure
Partial pressure
Pressure contributed by an individual gas in a mixture of gases.
CO₂ gradient direction
CO₂ gradient direction
Signup and view all the flashcards
CO₂ solubility
CO₂ solubility
Signup and view all the flashcards
Diffusion membrane
Diffusion membrane
Signup and view all the flashcards
Layers of diffusion membrane
Layers of diffusion membrane
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- Figure 14.3 shows the exchange of gases at the alveolus and the body tissues with blood and transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Exchange of Gases
- Alveolar air contains pO₂ = 104 mmHg and pCO₂ = 40 mmHg
- Systemic veins carry deoxygenated blood with pO₂ = 40 mm Hg and pCO₂ = 45 mm Hg
- Systemic arteries carry oxygenated blood with pO₂ = 95 mm Hg and pCO₂ = 40 mm Hg
- A gradient exists for CO₂ in the opposite direction, from tissues to blood and blood to alveoli
- The solubility of CO₂ is 20-25 times higher than that of O₂
- The amount of CO₂ that can diffuse through the diffusion membrane per unit difference in partial pressure is much higher compared to that of O₂
- The diffusion membrane consists of three major layers -Thin squamous epithelium of alveoli -Endothelium of alveolar capillaries -Basement substance (composed of a thin basement membrane supporting the squamous epithelium and the basement membrane surrounding the single layer endothelial cells of capillaries) in between them.
- The membrane is less than a millimeter thick
- All factors in our body favor diffusion of O₂ from alveoli to tissues and CO₂ in the opposite direction
- Figure 14.4 shows a section of an alveolus with a pulmonary capillary, highlighting the squamous epithelium of the alveolar wall (one-celled thick), the alveolar cavity, the basement substance, the endothelium of the blood capillary, the blood capillary itself, and red blood cells
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
