Module 3 - Exchange and Transport

Cards (108)

  • Alveoli:
    • Tiny air sacs that serve as the primary gaseous exchange surface
    • Consist of a thin epithelial cell layer, collagen and elastic fibres
  • Breathing rate:
    • The number of breaths per minute
  • Bronchi:
    • Divisions of the trachea that lead into the lungs
    • Small tubes supported by incomplete rings of cartilage
  • Bronchioles:
    • Many small divisions of the bronchi
    • Contain smooth muscle to restrict airflow to the lungs but do not have cartilage
    • Lined with a thin layer of ciliated epithelial cells
  • Cartilage:
    • Strong, flexible connective tissue that supports the walls of the trachea and bronchi, preventing collapse
    • Found in an incomplete ring shape
  • Ciliated epithelial cells:
    • Specialised cells with tiny hair-like cilia found lining the trachea
    • Waft bacteria-containing mucus up to the back of the throat, where it is swallowed
  • Countercurrent flow:
    • An adaptation for gaseous exchange in bony fish
    • Blood in the gill filaments and water moving over the gills flow in opposite directions, maintaining a steep oxygen concentration gradient
  • Elastic fibres:
    • Fibres of elastin that allow the alveoli to stretch as air is drawn in and recoil back to normal size
    • Found in the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles
  • Exchange surface:
    • A surface over which materials are exchanged from one region to another
    • An effective exchange surface has a large surface area, thin layers, a good blood supply, and ventilation to maintain a steep diffusion gradient
  • Expiration:
    • During expiration (exhalation), the diaphragm relaxes and reverts to a dome
    • The external intercostal muscles relax, moving the ribs down and in
    • Air moves out of the trachea
  • Gill filaments:
    • The main site of gaseous exchange in fish, over which water flows
    • Found in large stacks, known as gill plates, and have gill lamellae which provide a large surface area for exchange
  • Gill lamellae:
    • The fine branches of the gill filaments
    • Adapted for gaseous exchange by having a large surface area and good blood supply
  • Gill plates:
    • Large stacks of gill filaments
  • Gills:
    • The organs of gaseous exchange in fish
    • Contained in a gill cavity and made up of gill lamellae, gill filaments and gill plates
  • Goblet cells:
    • Specialised cells that secrete mucus onto the trachea lining
    • Mucus traps harmful substances and microorganisms, preventing their entry into the lungs
  • Inspiration:
    • During inspiration (inhalation), the diaphragm contracts and flattens
    • The external intercostal muscles contract, moving the ribs up and out
    • Air moves into the trachea
  • Internal intercostal muscles:
    • Muscles found between the ribs responsible for forced exhalation
  • Mammalian gaseous exchange system:
    • A complex system found in mammals for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases
  • Operculum:
    • A flap that covers the gills of bony fish
    • Protects the gills and helps maintain a constant stream of water over them
  • Smooth muscle:
    • Involuntary muscle found in the walls of the trachea and bronchi
    • Constricts the lumen of the bronchi by contracting, reducing airflow to the lungs
  • Spiracles:
    • Small, external openings along the thorax and abdomen of most insects
    • Air enters and leaves the gaseous exchange system through spiracles
    • Spiracle sphincters open and close to control gas exchange
  • Spirometer:
    • A device used to examine breathing patterns and determine lung volume aspects
  • Surface area to volume ratio:
    • The surface area of an object divided by its volume
    • The larger the surface area to volume ratio, the smaller the object
  • Tidal volume:
    • The volume of air that moves into and out of the lungs during a normal breath
  • Trachea (mammals):
    • The primary airway carrying air from the nasal cavity down into the chest
    • A tube supported by incomplete rings of cartilage
  • Tracheae (insects):
    • Large tubes running from the spiracles into and along an insect’s body
    • Supported by spirals of chitin and divide further into smaller tracheoles
  • Tracheal fluid:
    • Found at the ends of the tracheoles
    • Amount of fluid affects the surface area available for gaseous exchange and water loss
  • Tracheoles:
    • Divisions of the tracheae running throughout the tissues of an insect
    • Main site of gas exchange and completely permeable to gases
  • Ventilation:
    • Movement of fresh air into the lungs and stale air out via inspiration and expiration
  • Affinity:
    • The tendency of one substance to bind with another substance
  • Vital capacity:
    • The largest volume of air that can be breathed in following the strongest possible exhalation
  • Aorta:
    • The artery carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body
  • Arteriole:
    • Blood vessel connecting arteries and capillaries
    • Walls contain large amounts of smooth muscle, some elastic fibres, and some collagen
  • Artery:
    • Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart to the tissues under high pressure
    • Walls contain collagen, smooth muscle, and elastic fibres
  • Atrial fibrillation:
    • An arrhythmia involving rapid contraction of the atria, preventing complete ventricular filling
  • Atrial systole:
    • The stage of the cardiac cycle where the atria contract, pushing blood into the ventricles
    • AV valves are pushed open fully and the atria are emptied of blood
  • Atrioventricular node (AVN):
    • Group of cells located between the atria that slow down the wave of excitation and pass it between the ventricles, along the bundle of His
  • Atrioventricular (AV) valves:
    • Valves found between the atria and ventricles
    • Prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricles into the atria
    • Two types: bicuspid and tricuspid
  • Bicuspid valves:
    • Atrioventricular valves found between the left atrium and left ventricle
  • Blood:
    • Transport medium in the mammalian circulatory system
    • Consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets