Take a Breath
What is the process of inhalation?
Inhalation is the process of taking air into the lungs, involving diaphragm contraction and expansion of the thoracic cavity.
What structures are included in the upper respiratory tract?
The nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, and pharynx.
What structures are included in the lower respiratory tract?
The trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs.
Where does oxygen exchange occur in the lungs?
Oxygen exchange occurs in the alveoli.
What is meant by partial pressure in gases?
Partial pressure is the pressure exerted by a single gas in a mixture of gases.
What happens during exhalation?
Exhalation is the process of expelling air from the lungs, primarily due to diaphragm relaxation.
What is the function of the epiglottis in the upper respiratory system?
The epiglottis prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing.
How is the structure of the left side of the lungs different from the right?
The right lung has three lobes while the left has only 2, allowing room for the heart.
What is the role of hemoglobin in oxygen transport?
Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs and releases it in the tissues.
How does altitude affect partial pressures of gases?
At higher altitudes, the total atmospheric pressure decreases, leading to lower partial pressures of all gases including oxygen.
Describe how the intercostal muscles assist in breathing.
Intercostal muscles contract to raise the rib cage during inhalation, increasing lung volume.
Describe the role of the nasal cavity in respiration.
The nasal cavity filters, warms, and moistens the air we breathe.
What is the function of the alveoli in the lungs?
Alveoli are the sites of gas exchange between air and blood.
How is oxygen transported in the blood?
Oxygen is transported bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells and dissolved in plasma.
Why is it important to understand partial pressures in respiration?
Understanding partial pressures helps explain how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the lungs and tissues.
What is the role of the medulla oblongata in the breathing process?
The medulla oblongata regulates the rate and depth of breathing.
What is the significance of the olfactory epithelium?
The olfactory epithelium is responsible for the sense of smell, detecting odor molecules in the air.
Describe the structure and function of the diaphragm in respiration.
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that contracts to enlarge the thoracic cavity during inhalation.
Explain the concept of diffusion in the context of gas exchange.
Diffusion is the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the alveolar and capillary membranes from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration.
How does blood chemistry and pH change with hyperventilation? How does the body compensate?
Hyperventilation increases oxygen levels above normal causing pH to rise due to decreased CO2. The body compensates by decreasing rate and depth of ventilations.
How does the body detect changes in carbon dioxide levels during respiration?
Chemoreceptors in the blood vessels monitor CO2 levels and signal the respiratory center to adjust breathing rate.
What itype of cartilage helps the trachea maintain its shape and flexibility?
Hyaline cartilage
Explain the significance of surfactant in the alveoli.
Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse and aiding in gas exchange.
What factors can affect the efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs?
Factors include surface area of alveoli, thickness of the respiratory membrane, and partial pressure gradients of gases.
Describe how the presence of concentrated oxygen causes a shift to the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The curve shows how hemoglobin's oxygen binding affinity increases with increasing partial pressures of oxygen, influencing oxygen delivery to tissues.