respiratory

• What are the five important functions of the respiratory system?

  Brings air into the lungs, transfers oxygen into the blood, removes carbon dioxide from the blood, expels heat and water vapor, and allows speech.
• Why is it important for air to be warmed and moistened in the nose?

  It prepares the air to be more readily used by the body’s interior, especially in cold climates.
• What are the cilia in the nasal cavity responsible for?

  Cilia filter foreign particles from the air as it enters the respiratory tracts.
• What happens to cilia when a person smokes?

  Smoking destroys cilia, leading to serious problems for the lungs of smokers.
• What is the pharynx and its role in the respiratory system?

  The pharynx is the section of the throat where the mouth and nose combine, channeling food to the esophagus and air to the larynx.
• How does the larynx contribute to speech?

  The larynx contains vocal cords that create voice as air passes through them.
• What is the trachea commonly referred to as?

  The windpipe.
• What is the structure of the trachea?

  The trachea is constructed of rings of hyaline cartilage enclosed by other cartilage and tissue.
• What do the bronchi do?

  The bronchi are the two divisions of the trachea that feed air into each lung.
• How do bronchioles relate to bronchi?

  Each bronchus subdivides into a series of bronchioles, creating a system of air passages similar to an inverted tree.
• What are alveoli?

  Alveoli are microscopic cup-shaped sacs at the ends of the smallest bronchioles where gas exchange occurs.
• What is the role of the diaphragm in breathing?

  The diaphragm contracts and relaxes to aid in breathing by changing the size of the chest cavity.
• What happens when the diaphragm contracts during inspiration?

  It pulls downwards on the rib cage, expanding the volume of the chest cavity.
• What is the effect of the intercostal muscles during inspiration?

  The intercostal muscles contract to help pull the rib cage outwards, increasing the size of the chest cavity.
• How does air pressure change during inspiration?

  The widening chest cavity decreases the air pressure inside the lungs, causing air to be sucked in.
• What occurs during expiration?

  Expiration occurs when the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, pushing air out of the lungs.
• What is pulmonary diffusion?

  Pulmonary diffusion is the process of gaseous exchange in the lungs where O$_2$ is taken into the blood and CO$_2$ is removed.
• What is oxygen deficit during exercise?

  Oxygen deficit is the time during exercise when the oxygen demanded is greater than the oxygen supplied by the body.
• How can the size of oxygen deficit be reduced?

  By decreasing intensity, completing a warmup, or completing aerobic training.
• What is steady state in terms of oxygen supply and demand?

  Steady state occurs when oxygen supply equals oxygen demanded by the activity.
• What is EPOC?

  EPOC stands for excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, which is the oxygen consumed during recovery above resting levels.
• What happens to the respiratory control center during exercise?

  The respiratory control center increases heart and respiratory rate to restore balance when O$_2$ levels decrease and CO$_2$ levels increase.
• What is respiratory frequency?

  Respiratory frequency is the amount of breaths taken per minute.
• How does tidal volume change during exercise?

  Tidal volume increases approximately 6-10 times during exercise.
• What is the formula for ventilation?

  Ventilation = Respiratory Frequency x Tidal Volume or Ve (min) = RF x TV.
• What is the physiological purpose of increased pulmonary diffusion during exercise?

  Increased pulmonary diffusion provides a greater amount of oxygen delivered to working muscles for ATP resynthesis and greater removal of carbon dioxide.
• What is VO$_2$?


  VO$_2$ is the amount of oxygen transported to, taken up, and used by the body for energy production.
• How does oxygen uptake relate to exercise intensity?

  There is a linear relationship between oxygen uptake and exercise intensity, requiring more oxygen at higher intensities.
• What is VO$_2$ max?


  VO$_2$ max is the maximum level of oxygen uptake where no further increases are possible.