Breathing involves the exchange of ___ from the atmosphere with ___ produced by cells.

Oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2)

What is the primary function of the alveoli in the human respiratory system?

The alveoli are the sites of gas exchange, allowing for the diffusion of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide from the blood into the alveoli.

Fill in the blank: The conducting part of the respiratory system includes structures from the external nostrils to the ___ bronchioles.

Terminal

True or False: The diaphragm contracts during expiration to decrease the volume of the thoracic cavity.

False. The diaphragm contracts during inspiration to increase the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Define vital capacity and explain its significance.

Vital capacity is the maximum volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after taking the deepest breath possible. It is significant because it indicates the health and capacity of the lungs.

The primary role of hemoglobin in the blood is to transport ___.

Oxygen (O2)

List the four main steps involved in the process of respiration.

1. Breathing (pulmonary ventilation), 2. Diffusion of gases across the alveolar membrane, 3. Transport of gases by blood, 4. Diffusion of gases between blood and tissues.

Fill in the blank: The pressure gradient necessary for breathing is created by the contraction of the ___ and intercostal muscles.

Diaphragm

True or False: Carbon dioxide is primarily carried in the blood as bicarbonate (HCO3-).

True.

Explain the significance of the oxygen dissociation curve.

The oxygen dissociation curve illustrates how hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen changes with varying partial pressures of oxygen (pO2) and carbon dioxide (pCO2), which is crucial for understanding how oxygen is transported and released in different tissues.

What happens to the respiratory process when a person ascends to higher altitudes?

At higher altitudes, the partial pressure of oxygen decreases, leading to difficulty in oxygen uptake and potentially causing symptoms of altitude sickness due to reduced oxygen availability.

Fill in the blank: The structure responsible for sound production in the human respiratory system is the ___.

Larynx

True or False: The human respiratory system is designed to minimize the friction between the lungs and the thoracic cavity.

True.

What role does carbonic anhydrase play in respiration?

Carbonic anhydrase facilitates the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, which is crucial for CO2 transport and regulation of blood pH.

Fill in the blank: The total lung capacity includes the vital capacity and ___ volume.

Residual

True or False: The primary stimulus for breathing is a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood.

False. The primary stimulus for breathing is an increase in carbon dioxide levels and a decrease in blood pH.

Define tidal volume and provide its approximate value for a healthy adult.

Tidal volume is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing, approximately 500 mL for a healthy adult.

What are the two main types of respiration in animals?

Pulmonary respiration (in lungs) and branchial respiration (in gills).

Fill in the blank: The pressure gradient during inspiration is created when intra-pulmonary pressure is ___ than atmospheric pressure.

Less

True or False: The lungs are located in the thoracic cavity, which is an airtight chamber.

True.

What is the function of the pleural fluid in the respiratory system?

Pleural fluid reduces friction on the lung surface during breathing movements.

Fill in the blank: The exchange of gases between blood and tissues occurs primarily through ___ diffusion.

Simple

True or False: The primary respiratory muscles are the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.

False. The primary respiratory muscles are the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.

List the main respiratory volumes and their approximate values.

Tidal Volume (TV) ~500 mL, Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) ~2500-3000 mL, Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) ~1000-1100 mL, Residual Volume (RV) ~1100-1200 mL.

What is the primary function of the respiratory center in the medulla?

The respiratory center in the medulla regulates the rhythm and depth of breathing.

Fill in the blank: In the human respiratory system, the ___ help maintain the structure of the trachea and bronchi.

Cartilaginous rings

True or False: The respiratory system is only responsible for the exchange of gases.

False. The respiratory system also plays a role in regulating blood pH and temperature.

Explain the importance of the pressure gradients in the process of gas exchange.

Pressure gradients facilitate the movement of oxygen from areas of higher concentration (alveoli) to areas of lower concentration (blood) and vice versa for carbon dioxide, enabling efficient gas exchange necessary for cellular respiration.

Fill in the blank: The part of the respiratory system that includes the alveoli is referred to as the ___ part.

Respiratory

True or False: The lungs can expand and contract independently of the thoracic cavity.

False. The lungs expand and contract in relation to changes in the thoracic cavity.

What is the role of the pneumotaxic center in respiration?

The pneumotaxic center in the pons moderates the functions of the respiratory rhythm center, affecting the duration of inspiration and thereby regulating the respiratory rate.

What is the significance of the diaphragm in the process of breathing?

The diaphragm is a crucial muscle that contracts to increase the thoracic cavity volume during inspiration, thus facilitating the intake of air into the lungs.

Fill in the blank: The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a forcible expiration is known as ___.

Residual volume

What factors affect the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin?

The binding of oxygen to hemoglobin is primarily influenced by the partial pressure of O2, partial pressure of CO2, hydrogen ion concentration, and temperature.

Fill in the blank: The maximum volume of air a person can breathe out after a forced inspiration is referred to as ___.

Vital capacity