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Respiratory System Cheat Sheet Cheat Sheet by

Respiratory System Cheat Sheet

Purpose

Energy
- for cellular activities
Produce ATP
- to support energy creating chemical reactions
Remove CO2
- to prevent dangerous PH fluctu­ations resulting from of reactions
Homeos­tatis
- by exchanging O2 and CO2 with the atmosphere and blood

Defini­tions

Alveoli
- small thin-w­alled sacs where gas exchange occurs
Bronchi
- two main branches stemming from the trachea
Bronch­ioles
- small branches stemming from the bronchi
Larynx
- voice box at the entrance to the trachea
Lungs
- organs consisting of the lower portion of the respir­atory airways, the pulmonary circul­ation, and connective tissue
Nasal Passages
- the nose
Respir­atory Airways
- tubes that move air between the atmosphere and the alveoli
Respir­atory System
- system respon­sible for breathing in & out
Pharynx
- passageway to the lungs and the stomach
Pleura
- produce fluid that lubricates the lung to prevent friction when breathing
Pleural Cavity
- the space between the pleural sacs
Pleural Sacs
- thin, fluid-­filled, membranes that enclose the lungs
Trachea
- tube through which air is conducted to the lungs
Ventil­ation
- the exchange of air between the atmosphere and alveoli
 

External Respir­ation

1. Ventil­ation or gas exchange between the atmosphere and air sacs in the lungs
2. Exchange of O2 and CO2 between air in the alveoli and the blood in the pulmonary capill­aries
3. Transport of O2 and CO2 by the blood between the lungs and tissues
4. Exchange of O2 and CO2 between blood in the systemic capill­aries and the tissue cells
This then leads into Cellular Respir­ation

Pressures Important for Ventil­ation

1. Atmosp­heric Pressure
2. Intra-­alv­eolar Pressure
3. Intrap­leular Pressure
4. Transmural Pressure Gradient

Boyle's Law

Volume Change → Pressure Change → Flow of Gases to Equalized Pressure

Boyle's Law: at a constant temper­ature the pressure of a gas varies inversely with its volume

Large Container = molecules far apart = low pressure
Small Container = molecules close together = high pressure

Lung Compliance

Otherwise known as flexib­ility or inverse of stiffness

Greater lung compliance = easier to expand lungs

Determ­inants of Lung Stiffness:
1. Stretc­hab­ility of lung tissue
2. Alveolar surface tension

Pulmonary Surfactant

Is a mixture of phosph­olipids and proteins
Is secreted by type II alveolar cells
 

Airway Branching

Conducting zone
Trachea (1) ↓
Bronchi (2) ↓
Bronch­ioles (16) ↓
Terminal Bronch­ioles (6x10^4) ↓

Respir­atory Zone
where gas exchange happens
Respir­atory Bronch­ioles (5x10^5) ↓
Alveolar Ducts ↓
Alveolar Sacs

Functions of the Conducting Zone

1. Provides a low-re­sis­tance pathway for airflow
2. Defends against microbes, toxic chemicals, and other foreign matter.
3. Warms and moistens the air
4. Aids in sound production

Inspir­ation

Diaphragm contracts making the thoracic cavity taller
External interc­ostal muscles contract lifting the ribcage and widening the thoracic cavity

Inspir­ation & Expiration Diagram

Expiration

In Passive Expiration the inspir­atory muscles relax and the ribs, sternum, and diaphragm return to resting
In Active Expiration the abdominal muscles contract, causing the diaphragm to push upward, shortening the thoracic cavity. Internal interc­ostal muscles flattens the ribs and sternum further shortening the cavity.
 

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