Back to AI Flashcard MakerArt /Biology IB HL - D6 Gas Transport Part 4
Where are signals from brainstem sent?
Signals are sent to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to increase the rate of ventilation (this process is involuntary)
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Where are signals from brainstem sent?
Signals are sent to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to increase the rate of ventilation (this process is involuntary)
What is the role of an increase in ventilation rate?
As the ventilation rate increases, CO2 levels in the blood will drop, restoring blood pH (also O2 levels will rise)
What are long term effects of continual exercise?
Long term effects of continual exercise may include an improved vital capacity
What is partial pressure?
Partial pressure is the pressure exerted by a single type of gas when it is found within a mixture of gases
What two factors determine the partial pressure of a gas?
The partial pressure of a given gas will be determined by: The concentration of the gas within the mixture (e.g. oxygen forms roughly 21% of the atmos...
What is the partial pressure at high altitudes?
At high altitudes, air pressure is lower and hence there is a lower partial pressure of oxygen (less O2 because less air overall)
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Where are signals from brainstem sent? | Signals are sent to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to increase the rate of ventilation (this process is involuntary) |
What is the role of an increase in ventilation rate? | As the ventilation rate increases, CO2 levels in the blood will drop, restoring blood pH (also O2 levels will rise) |
What are long term effects of continual exercise? | Long term effects of continual exercise may include an improved vital capacity |
What is partial pressure? | Partial pressure is the pressure exerted by a single type of gas when it is found within a mixture of gases |
What two factors determine the partial pressure of a gas? | The partial pressure of a given gas will be determined by: The concentration of the gas within the mixture (e.g. oxygen forms roughly 21% of the atmosphere) The total pressure of the mixture (e.g. atmospheric pressure) |
What is the partial pressure at high altitudes? | At high altitudes, air pressure is lower and hence there is a lower partial pressure of oxygen (less O2 because less air overall) |
How is O2 uptake affected at low partial pressures? | This makes it more difficult for haemoglobin to take up and transport oxygen (lower Hb % saturation) |
What does a lower O2 uptake lead to? | Consequently, respiring tissue will receive less oxygen – leading to symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and rapid pulse |
In what two ways will red blood cells acclimatise to lower oxygen levels at high altitudes? | Red blood cell production will increase in order to maximise oxygen uptake and transport Red blood cells will have a higher haemoglobin count with a higher affinity for oxygen |
How will vital capacity acclimate to lower oxygen levels at high altitudes? | Vital capacity will increase to improve rate of gas exchange |
How will muscles acclimate to lower oxygen levels at high altitudes? | Muscles will produce more myoglobin and have increased vascularisation to improve overall oxygen supply |
How will kidneys acclimate to lower oxygen levels at high altitudes? | Kidneys will begin to secrete alkaline urine (removal of excess bicarbonates improves buffering of blood pH) |
How will lungs acclimate to lower oxygen levels at high altitudes? | People living permanently at high altitudes will have a greater lung surface area and larger chest sizes |
What are the benefits of high altitudes? | Professional athletes will often incorporate high altitude training in order to adopt these benefits prior to competition |
In what two ways do athletes make use of high altitudes? | Athletes may commonly either train at high altitudes (live low – train high) or recover at high altitudes (live high – train low) |
What is emphysema? | Emphysema is a lung condition whereby the walls of the alveoli lose their elasticity due to damage to the alveolar walls |
What does the loss of elasticity lead to? | The loss of elasticity results in the abnormal enlargement of the alveoli, leading to a lower total surface area for gas exchange |
What does the degradation of the alveolar walls lead to? | The degradation of the alveolar walls can cause holes to develop and alveoli to merge into huge air spaces (pulmonary bullae) |
What is the major cause of emphysema? | The major cause of emphysema is smoking, as the chemical irritants in cigarette smoke damage the alveolar walls |
What does damage to lung tissue lead to? | The damage to lung tissue leads to the recruitment of phagocytes to the region, which produce an enzyme called elastase |
What does elastase lead to? | This elastase, released as part of an inflammatory response, breaks down the elastic fibres in the alveolar wall |
What can be another cause of emphysema apart from smoking? | A small proportion of emphysema cases are due to a hereditary deficiency in this enzyme inhibitor due to a gene mutation |
Is there a cure for emphysema? | There is no current cure for emphysema, but treatments are available to relieve symptoms and delay disease progression |
How are bronchodilators used to treat emphysema? | Bronchodilators are commonly used to relax the bronchiolar muscles and improve airflow |
How can corticosteroids be used to treat emphysema? | Corticosteroids can reduce the inflammatory response that breaks down the elastic fibres in the alveolar wall |
How can enzyme inhibitors be used to treat emphysema? | Elastase activity can be blocked by an enzyme inhibitor (α-1-antitrypsin), provided elastase concentrations are not too high |
How can oxygen supplementation be used to treat emphysema? | Oxygen supplementation will be required in the later stages of the disease to ensure adequate oxygen intake |
How can surgery be used to treat emphysema? | In certain cases, surgery and alternative medicines have helped to decrease the severity of symptoms |