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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the nose in the respiratory system?
What is the primary function of the nose in the respiratory system?
Which organ is responsible for preventing food from entering the trachea during swallowing?
Which organ is responsible for preventing food from entering the trachea during swallowing?
What is external respiration primarily concerned with?
What is external respiration primarily concerned with?
Which of the following structures does NOT belong to the upper respiratory tract?
Which of the following structures does NOT belong to the upper respiratory tract?
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What is the primary role of the diaphragm in respiratory function?
What is the primary role of the diaphragm in respiratory function?
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Which of the following best describes internal respiration?
Which of the following best describes internal respiration?
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What structure in the respiratory system houses the vocal cords?
What structure in the respiratory system houses the vocal cords?
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Which part of the respiratory system is primarily responsible for the passage of air between the trachea and lungs?
Which part of the respiratory system is primarily responsible for the passage of air between the trachea and lungs?
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What occurs during the inspiration phase of breathing?
What occurs during the inspiration phase of breathing?
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Which of the following gases is primarily transported by hemoglobin in the blood?
Which of the following gases is primarily transported by hemoglobin in the blood?
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What is the primary role of the diaphragm during respiration?
What is the primary role of the diaphragm during respiration?
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What does tidal volume refer to?
What does tidal volume refer to?
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Which factor does NOT affect the diffusing capacity of gases across the alveolar-capillary membrane?
Which factor does NOT affect the diffusing capacity of gases across the alveolar-capillary membrane?
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What is a characteristic of breathing control mechanisms?
What is a characteristic of breathing control mechanisms?
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How does the breathing rate vary with age?
How does the breathing rate vary with age?
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Which gas pressure at sea level is approximately 159 mmHg?
Which gas pressure at sea level is approximately 159 mmHg?
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Why are the cartilages in the trachea C-shaped?
Why are the cartilages in the trachea C-shaped?
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What is the role of goblet cells in the trachea?
What is the role of goblet cells in the trachea?
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What structural feature allows the alveoli to effectively exchange gases?
What structural feature allows the alveoli to effectively exchange gases?
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What impact does smoking have on the air passages?
What impact does smoking have on the air passages?
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What separates the lungs medially?
What separates the lungs medially?
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What effect does movement of the diaphragm have?
What effect does movement of the diaphragm have?
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Which statement correctly describes the relationship between bronchi and bronchioles?
Which statement correctly describes the relationship between bronchi and bronchioles?
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What role does pleural fluid play within the lungs?
What role does pleural fluid play within the lungs?
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Study Notes
Respiratory System Overview
- The respiratory system is a series of tubes that filters air, transporting it to microscopic alveoli for gas exchange.
- The system is divided into the upper respiratory tract (URT) and lower respiratory tract (LRT).
- The URT includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx.
- The nose is supported by bone and cartilage and provides an entrance for air.
- The LRT includes the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
- The trachea is located in the mediastinum, anterior to the esophagus.
- The trachea is kept open by C-shaped cartilages to allow the esophagus to expand during swallowing.
- The inner lining of the trachea is a mucous membrane with ciliated epithelium and goblet cells to trap incoming particles.
- The trachea branches into the right and left bronchi, which further divide into smaller bronchioles.
- The smallest branches, bronchioles, lead to alveolar ducts, opening into alveoli.
- Alveoli are microscopic air sacs with thin walls of simple squamous epithelium and a rich supply of blood capillaries, facilitating gas exchange.
- The lungs are spongy, cone-shaped organs that occupy most of the thoracic cavity.
Respiration Definitions
- External respiration (pulmonary respiration): Gas exchange between blood capillaries and the air sacs of the lungs.
- Internal respiration (tissue respiration): Gas exchange between blood capillaries and body cells.
- Cellular respiration: The breakdown of organic molecules (usually glucose) in the cell to release energy.
Respiratory Muscles
- The diaphragm is a large, semi-circular sheet of muscle used in breathing, coughing, and vomiting.
- The ribs are protected by the diaphragm and are moved by intercostal muscles.
- Movement of the diaphragm and ribs is used for inspiration and expiration.
- During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts, moving downwards. External intercostal muscles contract, raising the ribs and sternum. The thoracic cavity becomes larger, enlarging the lungs and decreasing air pressure in the alveoli, drawing air into the lungs.
- During expiration, the diaphragm relaxes, moving upwards. Intercostal muscles relax, allowing the ribs to move downwards and inwards. The thoracic cavity becomes smaller, decreasing the size of the lungs, increasing air pressure in the alveoli, forcing air out the lungs.
Gas Transport
- The pressure exerted by a gas in a mixture (partial pressure) is significant for gas exchange.
- At sea level, atmospheric pressure is approximately 760 mmHg or 101.3 kPa.
- The partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) in the atmosphere is approximately 159 mmHg or 21.2 kPa.
- The partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) in the alveoli is higher than in the blood and decreases as the air moves down the respiratory tract.
- The difference in partial pressure drives the diffusion of oxygen from the air into the blood.
- In the tissues, oxygen moves from the blood to the cells. This is driven by the lower partial pressure of oxygen in the tissues compared to the blood. Carbon dioxide moves from the tissues into the blood for removal.
Factors affecting gas diffusion across the alveolar-capillary membrane
- Membrane thickness
- Surface area of the membrane
- Diffusion coefficient of the gas
- Pressure difference (gradient) of gases across the membrane.
Oxygen Transport
- Oxygen transport is primarily by hemoglobin (97%).
- Small amounts of oxygen are dissolved in plasma and cells.
Carbon Dioxide Transport
- Carbon dioxide is transported in the blood primarily as bicarbonate ions (HCO3−) produced in red blood cells by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.
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Description
This quiz provides an overview of the respiratory system, detailing its structure and function. It covers the division between the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the components of each tract, and the role of alveoli in gas exchange. Test your understanding of the anatomy and physiology related to respiration.
