34 Questions
What are the two main parts of the air passages in the respiratory system?
Conducting airway and respiratory tissues
Which cells line the wall of conducting airways and form a layer called mucociliary blanket?
Mucus-secreting gland cells
What is the function of ciliated cells in the conducting airways?
Clear the lower airways and alveoli
What happens to the motility of ciliated cells in the airways due to smoking?
Paralyzed
What structures make up the conducting airways in the respiratory system?
Nasal passage, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles
What is the key function of the respiratory tissues in the lungs?
Gas exchange
What is the function of Type I epithelial cells in the alveolar structure?
Gas exchange takes place
What is the role of Type II cells in the alveoli?
They produce surfactant
Explain the concept of surface tension as it relates to the alveoli.
It is the interface between the liquid film lining the alveoli and alveolar air
Why do alveoli with the smallest radii not empty into larger alveoli?
Because of surfactant
How does surfactant work to decrease surface tension in the alveoli?
By attaching its head to liquid molecules and its tail to gas molecules
What are some functions of surfactant in the alveoli?
Prevent alveolar collapse, provide stability, distribute ventilation, keep alveoli dry, prevent pulmonary edema
What is the function of serous glands in the respiratory system?
To secrete a watery fluid containing antibacterial enzymes for moist and protection
How does an increase in respiratory rate and fever affect the moisture in the lungs?
It increases water vapor in the lungs, causing withdrawal of moisture from the mucosal surface, thickening secretions, and diminishing free cilia movement.
What is the main function of the larynx in the respiratory system?
The larynx promotes speech, protects the lungs during swallowing, and directs liquids and food into the esophagus.
How are the walls of the trachea supported to prevent collapse?
The trachea is supported by C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage.
Why is cartilage absent in the walls of bronchioles?
Bronchioles do not have cartilage to allow flexibility and regulation of airflow through smooth muscle and elastic fibers.
What are the functions of the lungs in the respiratory system?
The functions of the lungs include gas exchange, conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, heparin production, and inactivation of vasoactive substances.
What two factors interfere with the matching of ventilation and perfusion in the lungs?
Dead air space and shunt
What is alveolar dead space?
Alveoli that are ventilated but not perfused
Why does CO2 diffuse 20 times more rapidly than O2 in the respiratory membrane?
Due to its great solubility
What are the two forms in which oxygen is transported in the blood?
In chemical combination with hemoglobin (98-99%)
What is the normal range for partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) in arterial blood?
35 to 45 mmHg
What is the main purpose of matching ventilation and perfusion in the lungs?
To ensure equal amounts of gas and blood enter the respiratory portion of the lungs
What is lung compliance?
Lung compliance refers to the ease with which the lungs can be inflated.
Define tidal volume (TV).
Tidal volume is the amount of air that moves into and out of the lung during a normal breath.
What is the formula for Vital Capacity (VC)?
Vital Capacity (VC) = Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) + Tidal Volume (TV) + Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV).
Explain the term Alveolar ventilation.
Alveolar ventilation refers to ventilation in the gas exchange portion of the lungs.
What is the primary function of pulmonary circulation?
The primary function of pulmonary circulation is to provide blood flow to the gas exchange portion of the lungs.
What happens in the case of hypoxia?
Hypoxia leads to marked vasoconstriction in the blood vessels when alveolar oxygen levels drop below 60 mmHg.
Describe Diffusion in the context of gas exchange.
Diffusion refers to the movement of gases in the alveoli and across the alveolar-capillary membrane.
What are the three processes involved in pulmonary gas exchange?
The three processes are ventilation, perfusion, and diffusion.
How does lung compliance change in pulmonary fibrosis?
In pulmonary fibrosis, the lung becomes stiff and noncompliant as elastin fibers are replaced by scar tissue.
Explain the concept of Functional Residual Capacity (FRC).
Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) is the sum of Residual Volume (RV) and Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) in the lungs.
Test your knowledge on the gas exchange process in alveoli, the structure of alveolar cells, the role of surfactant, and the concept of surface tension in the respiratory system.
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