Respiratory System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

To facilitate nutrient absorption in the intestines

To regulate body temperature through perspiration

To supply the body with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (correct)

To synthesize hormones for metabolic regulation

Which process involves the movement of air into and out of the lungs?

Pulmonary ventilation (correct)

External respiration

Transport of gases

Internal respiration

What is the role of cellular respiration in relation to the respiratory system?

It transports nutrients in the bloodstream

It regulates blood pH levels

It filters and humidifies the air we breathe

It converts glucose into ATP using oxygen (correct)

Which zone of the respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange?

Respiratory zone Signup and view all the answers

What are the main functions of the nose in the respiratory process?

It provides an airway, filters and moistens the air, and aids in speech Signup and view all the answers

How does the nasal cavity filter and condition the air we breathe?

Through the action of ciliated cells and warm capillaries Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the conducting zone in the respiratory system?

It conditions air by warming, humidifying, and filtering it Signup and view all the answers

What waste product is removed by the respiratory system during cellular respiration?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the nasal conchae in the respiratory system?

To increase the surface area for filtering and warming air Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the function of the oropharynx?

It is involved in directing food and air. Signup and view all the answers

What structural feature of the larynx aids in vocalization?

It houses the vocal cords. Signup and view all the answers

How do the trachea and bronchi prevent collapse during respiration?

With C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage and cartilage plates Signup and view all the answers

What is alveolar ventilation and why is it crucial?

The amount of air entering the alveoli per minute, vital for gas exchange Signup and view all the answers

What occurs to intrapulmonary pressure during inhalation?

It drops below atmospheric pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Why is intrapleural pressure important for lung function?

It is always negative, preventing lung collapse. Signup and view all the answers

What role does surfactant play in the alveoli?

It reduces surface tension to prevent collapse. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of tidal volume?

The amount of air moved in and out with each normal breath. Signup and view all the answers

How is vital capacity calculated?

Tidal volume plus expiratory reserve volume plus inspiratory reserve volume. Signup and view all the answers

What physiological condition is described by insufficient alveolar ventilation?

Hypoventilation. Signup and view all the answers

How do oxygen and carbon dioxide move across the respiratory membrane?

Oxygen diffuses from high pressure in alveoli to low pressure in capillary blood. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of hemoglobin in the blood?

To carry most of the oxygen in the blood. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does a lower pH have on hemoglobin's oxygen affinity?

Reduces affinity, facilitating oxygen release to tissues. Signup and view all the answers

Which factors influence the activity of the medullary respiratory centre?

Carbon dioxide, oxygen, pH, and chemoreceptor inputs. Signup and view all the answers

What consequence does hyperventilation have on carbon dioxide levels?

Reduces carbon dioxide levels leading to respiratory alkalosis. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Respiratory System I & II

Primary function: Supply the body with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.

Respiratory Processes

Pulmonary ventilation: Movement of air into and out of the lungs.
External respiration: Gas exchange between alveoli and blood (oxygen enters blood, carbon dioxide leaves).
Transport of gases: Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport in the blood between lungs and body tissues.
Internal respiration: Gas exchange between blood in systemic capillaries and tissue cells (oxygen diffuses in, carbon dioxide diffuses out).

Cellular Respiration's Role

Cells use oxygen to convert glucose to ATP (energy).
Carbon dioxide is a byproduct, removed by the respiratory system.

Respiratory Zone vs. Conducting Zone

Respiratory zone: Site of gas exchange (alveoli).
Conducting zone: Pathway for air to reach respiratory zone (filters, warms, humidifies air).

Nose Functions

Airway
Filters and moistens air
Warms air
Resonating chamber for speech
Houses olfactory receptors

Nasal Cavity Filtering

Mucus lining traps particles.
Ciliated cells move mucus to throat.
Capillaries warm air.

Pharynx Regions

Nasopharynx: Air passageway (closes during swallowing).
Oropharynx: Food and air passageway (lined with protective epithelium).
Laryngopharynx: Directs food and air to correct channels (continuous with esophagus).

Larynx Structure & Function

Connects pharynx to trachea.
Open airway.
Food and air passageway.
Houses vocal cords (speech).

Trachea & Bronchi Structure

Hyaline cartilage rings in trachea prevent collapse.
Bronchi branches have cartilage plates, decrease as airways narrow.

Alveolar Ventilation

Amount of air entering alveoli per minute.
Essential for adequate gas exchange, fresh oxygen delivery, and carbon dioxide removal.

Intrapulmonary Pressure vs. Atmospheric Pressure

Inhalation: Intrapulmonary pressure drops below atmospheric pressure, drawing air into lungs.
Exhalation: Intrapulmonary pressure rises above atmospheric pressure, pushing air out of lungs.

Intrapleural Pressure

Always negative relative to intrapulmonary pressure.
Maintains lung inflation by keeping lungs adhered to thoracic wall (expands and recoils with breathing).

Surfactant Function

Produced by type II alveolar cells.
Reduces surface tension in alveoli, preventing collapse during exhalation.

Lung Volumes

Tidal volume: Air moved in/out with normal breath.
Inspiratory reserve volume: Extra air inhaled beyond tidal volume.
Expiratory reserve volume: Extra air exhaled beyond tidal volume.
Residual volume: Air remaining in lungs after maximum exhalation.
Vital capacity: Sum of tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, and expiratory reserve volume (maximum exhalation followed by maximum inhalation).

Hypoventilation & Hyperventilation

Hypoventilation: Insufficient alveolar ventilation, low oxygen and high carbon dioxide, hypoxemia.
Hyperventilation: Excessive alveolar ventilation, increased oxygen and reduced carbon dioxide, respiratory alkalosis.

Partial Pressure Gradients

Oxygen and carbon dioxide move down their partial pressure gradients across respiratory membrane.

Hemoglobin Role in Oxygen Transport

Hemoglobin carries most oxygen in blood.
Affected by temperature and pH (lower pH and higher temperature reduces hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, facilitating release to tissues—Bohr effect).

Medullary Respiratory Centre

Regulates breathing rhythm.
Controlled by levels of carbon dioxide, oxygen, pH, and peripheral and central chemoreceptors.

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Description

This quiz covers the essential functions and processes of the respiratory system, including pulmonary ventilation, external and internal respiration, and the differences between the respiratory and conducting zones. Understand how the body utilizes oxygen and removes carbon dioxide during cellular respiration.