Respiratory Physiology Quiz

The ability of the lungs to change volume in response to pressure changes.

A condition where the lungs are stiff and less stretchable, making it harder to breathe.

The force that causes the lungs to return to their original size after being stretched.

Connective tissue in the lungs that contains elastin fibers, giving the lungs their elasticity.

The force created by the surface tension of fluid in the alveoli, contributing to lung elasticity.

A substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing and making breathing easier.

The force that draws liquid molecules together, causing a liquid to resist stretching or expanding.

A property of the lungs that describes their ability to stretch and expand.

The main phospholipid in pulmonary surfactant responsible for reducing surface tension.

Proteins that help regulate the production, function, and stability of pulmonary surfactant.

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

A thin layer of fluid that lines the alveoli, containing surfactant.

The tendency of the lungs to recoil back to their original size after being stretched.

The tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place. They are responsible for transferring oxygen from inhaled air into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide from the blood into the air to be exhaled.

The thin layer of cells that forms the walls of the alveoli, allowing for efficient gas exchange between the air and the blood.

The combined structure of the alveolar epithelium, basement membrane, and capillary endothelium, which acts as a barrier for gas exchange between the air and the blood in the alveoli.

Type I alveolar cells are thin, flat cells responsible for gas exchange, while Type II cells produce surfactant.

A mixture of lipids and proteins secreted by Type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing.

The tendency of the alveoli to resist being stretched and to recoil back to their original size after being expanded. It's important for efficient breathing.

The force that causes water molecules to stick together, which can lead to the alveoli collapsing if not counteracted by surfactant.

Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli by interfering with the attractive forces between water molecules, preventing them from collapsing.

Specialized organelles within type II alveolar cells responsible for storing and secreting surfactant.

A lung-specific structure formed from surfactant phospholipids and surfactant protein A (SP-A). It acts as a reservoir of surfactant and helps insert lipids into the air-liquid interface.

The process by which lamellar bodies release surfactant into the alveolar space.

The process by which surfactant is synthesized, processed, and assembled within type II alveolar cells.

The amount of surfactant stored within the alveoli of a newborn.

A condition characterized by insufficient surfactant production, leading to respiratory distress in newborns.

The process by which surfactant is broken down and recycled by type II alveolar cells.

Collectins are a family of proteins that play a vital role in innate immunity. They possess a collagen domain and a lectin domain, allowing them to recognize and bind to pathogens like bacteria and viruses.

SP-A is one of the collectins found in the lungs. It forms a flower-shaped structure with 18 subunits, allowing it to effectively bind multiple pathogens.

SP-B and SP-C are hydrophobic proteins that are crucial for the proper functioning of surfactant. They regulate the spread and mechanical properties of surfactant within the alveoli.

Type II cells, found in the alveoli of the lungs, are the primary producers of surfactant. These cells synthesize and package the lipid and protein components of surfactant into lamellar bodies for secretion.

Humans born without SP-B experience severe respiratory problems, while those lacking SP-C develop a progressive lung inflammation. These conditions highlight the importance of these proteins for normal lung function.

The synthesis of surfactant involves separate pathways for lipids and proteins. Both components are packaged and stored in lamellar bodies before being released into the alveoli.

Surfactant production begins during fetal development in type II cells, ensuring that the immature lungs are ready for their first breath.

A natural substance produced by type II pneumocytes in the lungs, it reduces surface tension and helps prevent alveolar collapse.

It's a life-threatening respiratory disorder in newborn premature babies caused by a deficiency of surfactant.

It's a stress hormone that enhances surfactant production in premature lungs.

The recycling of surfactant involves type II pneumocytes taking up 90% of surfactant back into the alveolar space, while macrophages handle the remaining 10%.

It's a mixture of phospholipids, mainly DPPC, combined with spreading agents like SP-B and SP-C.

It's a synthetic pulmonary surfactant made of DPPC, along with spreading agents hexadecanol and tyloxapol.

This therapy approach involves administering cortisol to pregnant mothers at risk of preterm delivery.

This treatment approach involves giving surfactant directly to the premature baby.

It is the change in lung volume per unit change in airway pressure. Essentially, it tells us how stretchy the lungs are.

This force makes the lungs recoil back to their original size after being stretched. It's like a balloon returning to normal after you let go of it.

It is the thin layer of fluid found inside the alveoli that helps with the expansion and recoil of the lungs. It's responsible for the tension that the lungs experience.

This special connective tissue in the lungs, rich in elastin fibers, surrounds the alveoli and allows them to expand and recoil. Think of it as the elastic band that gives your lungs their stretchiness.

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and blood.

A thin layer of cells that forms the walls of the alveoli, allowing for efficient gas exchange.

The combination of the alveolar epithelium, basement membrane, and capillary endothelium, acting as a barrier for gas exchange.

Cells that secrete surfactant, a substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli.

A mixture of lipids and proteins that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing.

The tendency of the alveoli to resist being stretched and to recoil back to their original size after being expanded, essential for efficient breathing.

The force that causes water molecules to stick together, which can lead to the alveoli collapsing if not counteracted by surfactant.

Surfactant reduces surface tension by interfering with the attractive forces between water molecules, preventing the alveoli from collapsing.

The main phospholipid in pulmonary surfactant responsible for reducing surface tension. It helps keep the alveoli inflated.

Specialized organelles within type II alveolar cells responsible for storing and secreting surfactant. They act like tiny packages for surfactant.

A lung-specific structure formed from surfactant phospholipids and surfactant protein A (SP-A). It acts as a reservoir of surfactant and helps insert lipids into the air-liquid interface.

The process by which lamellar bodies release surfactant into the alveolar space. This ensures the alveoli have enough surfactant.

A condition characterized by insufficient surfactant production, leading to respiratory distress in newborns.

The formation of tubular myelin from surfactant phospholipids and SP-A, highlighting the importance of this protein in surfactant function.

SP-A is a collectin protein, forming a 18-subunit structure with a collagen domain, carbohydrate recognition domain, and a cysteine-rich NH2-terminal domain.

SP-B and SP-C, hydrophobic membrane proteins, increase the rate at which surfactant spreads and regulate its mechanical properties within the alveoli.

The production of surfactant starts in type II cells during the alveolar sac stage of lung development. These cells synthesize and package lipids and proteins into lamellar bodies, which are later secreted into the alveoli.

Humans born without SP-B experience severe respiratory problems, while those lacking SP-C develop progressive lung inflammation. This highlights the importance of these proteins for normal lung function.

Type II cells are specialized cells in the alveoli of the lungs that produce surfactant. They synthesize and package lipid and protein components into lamellar bodies for secretion into the alveoli.

Surfactant is a mixture of phospholipids and proteins, primarily dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and surfactant proteins (SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, SP-D).

A life-threatening condition in premature babies caused by a deficiency of surfactant. Surfactant is crucial for keeping the lungs expanded -- without it, the alveoli collapse, leading to breathing difficulties.

The recycling process of surfactant involves type II pneumocytes taking up 90% of the surfactant from the alveoli, while alveolar macrophages handle the remaining 10%. It's like a continuous cleaning and replenishing process for those tiny air sacs.

A synthetic pulmonary surfactant made of DPPC, hexadecanol, and tyloxapol (spreading agents). It's used as a medication to treat and prevent RDS in newborns, helping those tiny lungs breathe easier.

The stress hormone cortisol plays a vital role in boosting surfactant production in premature lungs, helping them mature faster and breathe more effectively. This is one reason why vaginal deliveries often lead to better lung development in babies.

Administration of cortisol to pregnant mothers at risk of preterm delivery is a therapy approach for RDS, helping to stimulate the production of surfactant in the developing lungs of the baby.

Direct administration of surfactant to a premature baby using a respirator is a common treatment for RDS, helping to replace the missing surfactant and improve lung function.

The half-life of surfactant is 5 to 10 hours, meaning it's constantly breaking down and being replenished. It's like an ongoing 'cleanup and renewal cycle' for the lungs.