Lab 13: The Respiratory System For Bio 202L Student Name ✓ Solved

Lab 13 The Respiratory Systembio202lstudent Nameclick Here

1. Name two functions of the nasal cavity mucosa.

2. Why is the trachea reinforced with cartilaginous rings?

3. Describe the path a molecule of oxygen takes to get to body tissue, starting with the nares.

4. What is asthma?

1. Label the arrows in the slide images below.

2. What structural features of alveoli make them an ideal place for gas exchange?

3. Why is mucus present in the trachea?

4. What is the specific function of the cilia on the walls of the trachea?

1. How many diaphragm(s) exist in the human body?

2. Does deoxygenated blood become oxygenated in the upper respiratory tract, the lungs, or the diaphragm?

3. Is the trachea superior or inferior to the diaphragm?

4. Which component is more medial: the right lung or the tracheal bifurcation?

5. What is the most inferiorly located organ of the respiratory system?

1. What happens to the balloon? Why?

2. What would happen if the seal at the base of the bottle leaked?

3. What causes a collapsed lung?

4. Is a collapsed lung functional? Why or why not?

1. Based on the results of the spirometry test, is Patient A effectively managing his asthma symptoms with his inhaler medication? Explain your answer using the data collected during the test.

1. Based on the results of the spirometry test, is Patient B suffering from asthma? Explain your answer using the data collected during the test.

1. Based on the results of the spirometry test, does Patient C qualify for lung surgery? Explain your answer using the data collected during the test.

1. Based on the results of the spirometry test, what do you think is the cause of Patient D’s respiratory symptoms? Explain your answer using the data collected during the test.

1. Based on the results of the spirometry test, is Patient E suffering from asthma? Explain your answer using the data collected during the test.

1. What are some potential drawbacks to relying on spirometry to diagnose respiratory conditions?

1. Describe the interior lining of the trachea.

2. Were there many or few vessels serving as conduits between the lungs and the heart? Why is this important?

3. Describe the function of the diaphragm during inhalation and exhalation.

Paper For Above Instructions

The respiratory system is integral to maintaining proper gas exchange in the human body. It facilitates the intake of oxygen, essential for cellular metabolism, and the expulsion of carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product. Understanding the structure and function of the respiratory system is crucial in fields such as medicine, biology, and health sciences.

Functions of the Nasal Cavity Mucosa

The nasal cavity mucosa serves several vital functions, primarily involved in respiratory health. Firstly, it warms and humidifies the air inhaled through the nostrils, ensuring that the air reaching the lungs is at an optimal temperature and moisture level. Secondly, the mucosa traps particles, such as dust and pathogens, using mucus and cilia, preventing them from entering the lower respiratory tract and causing infections.

Reinforcement of the Trachea with Cartilage

The trachea is lined with C-shaped cartilaginous rings that keep the airway open and prevent it from collapsing, especially during inhalation when negative pressure is created in the thoracic cavity. These rings provide structural support, allowing the trachea to remain patent, while the open part of the C allows flexibility and accommodation of the esophagus during swallowing.

Oxygen Transport Pathway

The journey of a molecule of oxygen begins at the nares (nostrils), moving through the nasal cavity, where it is filtered, warmed, and moistened. From there, the oxygen passes through the pharynx and larynx into the trachea. It then travels down to the bronchi, branching into smaller bronchioles, which lead to the alveoli in the lungs. Here, oxygen diffuses across the alveolar membrane into the capillaries, entering the bloodstream, where it is transported to body tissues. This diffusion is facilitated by the large surface area and thin walls of the alveoli, making them ideal for gas exchange (West, 2012).

Asthma Overview

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by recurrent breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It is often triggered by allergens, irritants, exercise, or respiratory infections. In individuals with asthma, the airways become hyper-responsive, leading to bronchoconstriction and airway obstruction (Global Initiative for Asthma, 2020).

Structural Features of Alveoli

The alveoli possess several anatomical features that optimize them for gas exchange. They have a vast surface area due to the numerous alveoli in the lungs, providing ample space for diffusion. The walls of the alveoli are exceedingly thin (one cell thick), allowing for rapid gas exchange between the air and the blood. Furthermore, the presence of surfactant reduces surface tension, preventing alveolar collapse and easing the process of lung inflation (Hancock et al., 2015).

Mucus Presence in the Trachea

Mucus in the trachea serves to trap foreign particles and pathogens, preventing them from entering the lower respiratory tract. It also provides lubrication to the epithelial lining, ensuring smooth air passage and facilitating the movement of cilia that help propel trapped debris toward the throat, where it can be swallowed or expelled (Hernández et al., 2017).

Function of Cilia on Tracheal Walls

The cilia on the walls of the trachea play a crucial role in the respiratory system by moving mucus upwards toward the pharynx. This action, referred to as the mucociliary escalator, is essential for clearing mucus and debris from the respiratory tract, thereby protecting the lungs from infection and irritation (Bacharier et al., 2020).

Diaphragm’s Role in Breathing

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the thoracic cavity. During inhalation, it contracts and flattens, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and drawing air into the lungs. Conversely, during exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes, returning to its dome shape, which decreases thoracic volume and facilitates the expulsion of air (McGowan et al., 2019).

Understanding Spirometry

Spirometry is a common pulmonary function test used to assess lung function by measuring the volume of air inhaled and exhaled. By comparing the results of spirometry tests to predicted values based on age, sex, height, and race, clinicians can determine the presence of respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Fitzgerald & Miller, 2020).

Dangers of Relying on Spirometry

While spirometry is a valuable tool for diagnosing respiratory conditions, it has its limitations. It may not capture all asthma symptoms accurately, especially in patients with mild or intermittent asthma. Additionally, patient effort and understanding of the test can affect results, and spirometry cannot detect all potential lung issues, necessitating further investigations such as imaging or bronchial provocation tests (Rabe et al., 2018).

References

  • Bacharier, L. B., et al. (2020). The role of viral infections in asthma exacerbations. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, 14(10), 925-936.
  • Fitzgerald, J. M., & Miller, H. (2020). Pulmonary Function Testing: A Review. The Canadian Respiratory Journal, 2020.
  • Global Initiative for Asthma. (2020). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention. Retrieved from www.ginasthma.org
  • Hancock, A., et al. (2015). The Role of Surfactant in Alveolar Function. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 53(5), 605-611.
  • Hernández, J., et al. (2017). Mucus and its role in lung health. Thorax, 72(2), 114-122.
  • McGowan, F. X., et al. (2019). The diaphragm: anatomy and function. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 11(3), S321-S328.
  • Rabe, K. F., et al. (2018). Definition, terminology, and classification of asthma. European Respiratory Journal, 51(2), 1800148.
  • West, J. B. (2012). Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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