1.1 Describe a typical lung cell and identify the components of the respiratory system
Tissue are a group of Cells
Organs are a groups of Tissues
System are a groups of Organs
(Khan Academy,2018)
A typical cell that can be found in the lung is called the Mitochondria.
The Mitochondria
– The mitochondria is also known as the power house of cells.
– It is present in every eukaryotic, animal and plant cells
– Its main function is to produce energy for the cell.
– The mitochondria can be found in the Cytoplasm. It is also the site of Cellular Respiration.
– Cellular Respiration is a process that generates energy for the activities that take place in the cell from the food we eat.
– The mitochondria creates molecules that are rich in energy by taking in nutrients and breaking them down.
– The energy that the Mitochondria generates will then be used for various functions. (ThoughtCo, 2018)
–
The Mitochondria is present in some cells of the
body and it is not present in others.
– Each cell that is in the body contains a different amount of Mitochondria.
– The amount of energy that the cell needs will be the amount of mitochondria that will show up as cells are able to produce mitochondria once its needed.
(Studios, 2018) (YouTube, 2018) (Science, 2018) (Softschools.com, 2018)
The Structure of the Mitochondria
–
The Mitochondria has four main component: The Outer Membrane, The Inner Membrane, The Intermembrane Space and The Matrix
– The mitochondria does not have a specific shape as they are all slightly different but can be described as an oval shape.
– Mitochondria’s are double membrane bound cell organelles. (UMDF, 2018)
The Outer Membrane
– This membrane is composed of a smooth surface
– This surface is made of a phospholipid bilayer.
– This membrane is selectively permeable.
The Inner Membrane
– this inner membrane has a complex structure.
– There are a number of folds in this layer and this is known as the cristae.
– ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) molecules are produced here with the help of the cristae and protein
– Numerous chemical reaction take place in this membrane.
– This layer is permeable only to oxygen
The Intermembrane surface
– this is the space that is between the outer membrane and the inner membrane
The Matrix
– this is a liquid that is composed of a complex mixture of protein and enzymes.
(Anon, 2018)
Identify the components of the respiratory system
What is the respiratory system?
This is a system that contains a series of organs that work together to bring oxygen into the body and absorb it to the blood stream while expelling carbon dioxide.
The main components of the respiratory systems are: The Nasal Cavity, The Oral Cavity, The Pharynx, The Larynx, The Trachea, The Bronchi and Bronchioles, the Lungs and The Muscles of Respiration. (Innerbody, 2018)
The Nasal Cavity
– The nose cavity plays a very important role in this system as it lets air in and out of the body.
– The main function of this cavity is to filter that air to make is warm and moisturized before it reaches the lungs. (Innerbody, 2018)
The Oral Cavity
– This is also known as the Mouth cavity and this is the second way air comes and leaves the body.
– Although breathing through the mouth will not be as filtered as breathing though the nose it is a way to allow more air to get into the body quicker . (Innerbody, 2018) (Argosy Publishing, 2018)
The Pharynx
– This is well known as the throat.
– It is a funnel shape muscular wall which extends from the bottom of the nasal cavity to the top of the Oesophagus and the Larynx.
– The Pharynx has three different regions The Nasopharynx, The Oropharynx and The Laryngopharynx.
– The air that comes in through the nasal cavity passes in through the Nasopharynx and goes down through the Oropharynx.
– Air that comes in through the oral cavity goes straight into that pharynx at the Oropharynx and then descends down to the Laryngopharynx. (Argosy Publishing, 2018)
(Innerbody, 2018)
The Larynx
– This is also well known as our voice box
– This can be located at the top portion of the neck
– The larynx contain several cartilages
– It prevents choking whilst eating and drinking
– The larynx manages the air that flows when we breathe. (Weaver, 2018)
(Therespiratorysystem.com, 2018)
The Trachea
– Is also known as the wind pipe.
– This tube is 5- inches long and is made of a hyaline cartilage that is c-shaped
– The bronchi and the larynx are connected to each other by the trachea
– The tracheas main job is to ensure that the airway is clear for air to enter and leave the lung
– Contains rings of cartilage
– This trachea has an epithelium lining that which produces mucus that traps any particles like dust that may contaminate the lungs (Innerbody, 2018)
(Argosy Publishing, 2018)
The Bronchi and Bronchioles
– There are two bronchi one on the left and the other on the right.
– These run into the lung before they branch out into secondary bronchi
– The main function of the bronchi and bronchioles is to take air from the trachea into the lung.(Innerbody, 2018)
(Wellnessadvocate.com, 2018)
The lungs
– There are two Lung one on the left and one on the right.
– The air we breathe in goes into the lungs
– The lungs are one of the most important components of the respiratory system. (Innerbody, 2018)
(Science, 2018)
The muscle of Respiration
– These are a very important set of muscles as they are the muscle that enable the inhalation and exhalation of air to and from the lungs
– The contraction and relaxation of these muscle allows air to flow effortlessly. (Innerbody, 2018)
(SpinalColumnBlog, 2018)
1.2 Detailed description of the Lungs and the Pleura
The Lungs
The Lungs have a vital role to play in the respiratory system. The lungs would not be able to function without this system in place.
What are the lungs?
The lungs are specialised organs that are responsible for filtering air that comes in and out of the body. They ar very important part of the waste management and respiratory system. The lungs are also known as the body’s air filtering system. (Google.ie, 2018)
Where are they located?
The lungs can be found at the top half of the body in the thorax area underneath the ribcage superior to the diaphragm muscle. (Google.ie, 2018)
How many are their?
We all have one pair of lungs one on the left and one on the right. The right lung has three lobes and the left lung has two lobes. The lungs are not symmetrical or equal in size as they heart sits in the middle of the chest and it occupies some of the space in the left lung.(Innerbody, 2018)
(Buzzle, 2018)
What are they used for?
Lungs are used as a part of a process. And this is the process of oxygen coming into the body and carbon dioxide leaving the body. The lungs are used to regulate air that comes in and out of the body. (American Lung Association, 2018)
How do they work?
The lungs work by communicating with other parts of the body to filter that air and to get it in and out of the body effectively. The lungs do this by taking the oxygen that the body needs and gets rid of the carbon dioxide.
The Pleura
What is a pleura?
A Pleura is a thin membrane that surrounds each lung. This has a double membrane layer. The two membranes are called visceral pleura and parietal pleurae.
The main function of the pleura is to create pressure that cause the lung to expand which is a result of us inhaling and exhaling.
The pleura is can be located outside the lungs
It is a fragile serous membrane that covers the lungs and the little spaces between the lobes.
The parietal pleura is the membrane on the outside that attaches and lines the inside of the thorax cavity Healthfully, 2018)
and it also covers the upper surface of the diaphragm.
In between the visceral pleura and the parietal there is a liquid that get secreted by the pleura that’s fills that pleura space. (MedicineNet, 2018) (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2018)
The Ribs
The ribs can also be known as the thoracic cage. The ribs are made of flat thin bones and are divided by the sternum.
The main function of the ribs are to provide protection for the organs that are at the upper half of the body including the lungs , the heart and blood vessels. We all have 12 pairs of ribs one on each side making them 24 in total. Our ribs are put into three different categories The True Rib, The Floating Rib and The False Rib.
True Ribs
Our true ribs are out first seven ribs which is beginning of the sternum. They are visible in the back as they are connected to the spine by ligaments. The costal cartilage which is at the front of the chest allow for expansion during respiration.
False ribs
These are the next three pairs of bones that follow the true ribs. They are also connected to the spin at the back. The false ribs are slightly shorter that the true ribs. (WebMD Boots, 2018)
Floating ribs
These are the ribs that follow the false ribs. These are the last two pair or ribs that we have. They have the smallest bones out of the ribs. These bones are also connected to the spin at the back. Because of how short they are their connection at the back cannot be seen and they appear to be floating and this is how the name came about.
Between the ribs and the diaphragm there is a muscle that is present which is known as the intercostal muscle which help in the expansion of the chest cavity.
Our ribs support and give shape to the chest and protect spleen, kidneys and stomach. They also help us to breathe.
(Thehumanskeleton.weebly.com, 2018)
Mechanism of respiratory system and gaseous exchange
Mechanism of respiratory system
The process of respiration involves the act of breathing in (inhalation) air that is enriched with oxygen and the act of breathing out (exhalation) air that is fully loaded with carbon dioxide.
Mechanism of inspiration
Breathing is also known as ventilation and respiration.
The external intercostal muscles that is present between the ribs pull them upwards and anteriorly during this process. The diaphragm muscle then contract and flattens out.
Due to these movements that take place the chest expands increasing the volume in the thorax cavity.
According to Boyle’s law and increase in volume = decrease in pressure
The volume of the intrapleural space between the visceral pleura and the partial pleura increases
Mechanism of expiration
When air is expelled or exhalation takes place the volume and the pressure in the thoracic cavity reduces. While exhalation is taking place the intercostal muscles lower the ribs and the diaphragm muscle raises and it returns back to its regular size.
Due to these movements the thoracic cavity reduces in size causing the lungs to compress. The pressure that is in the lungs is greater than the atmospheric pressure and this causes all the air in the lungs to rush out.
Even with total exhalation there is always still some air left in the lungs which is known as Residual Volume. (YouTube, 2018) (GradeStack Courses, 2018) (Pokhrel, 2018)
(Pokhrel, 2018)
Gaseous exchange
Inside the lungs we have tiny sack called the alveoli. Within the alveoli is where the air that enters the body is being exchanges. The alveolar sacks that are particularised structure which contain alveoli. The alveoli carry out the process of gas exchange.
Gaseous exchange is the supply of oxygen from the our lungs to our bloodstream and the exertion of carbon dioxide from the bloodstream to the lungs. The gas exchange process takes place in two places in the body which are at the lungs and at the tissues. The exchange of gases with the external environment is known as external respiration which occurs in the alveoli of the lungs. The exchange of gases with the internal environment is known as internal respiration which come about in the tissues. Gas exchange occurs due to diffusion and the diffusion is caused due to the differential partial tone of the respiratory gases. There is no energy needed for oxygen and carbon dioxide to be moved across membranes. The respiratory membrane is extremely permeable. The form of the lungs increases the diffusion of gases. Gases move from high to low pressure. (Opentextbc.ca, 2018)
External respiration
External respiration takes in the lungs in the alveolar air sac. Here the oxygen will diffuse into the blood and the carbon dioxide will diffuse into the alveolar
Internal respiration
This is where oxygen diffuses out of the blood and into the tissue and carbon dioxide is diffused out of the cells. (Google.ie, 2018)
How the Gas flows?
–
Deoxygenated blood leaves the tissues of the body through systemic veins and takes it back to the heart
– Then the carbon dioxide enriched blood goes to the lungs through pulmonary arteries
– And then the lungs expel the carbon dioxide into the outside environment and in rich oxygen
– Oxygen rich blood makes its way from the lungs to the heart through the pulmonary veins
– And the heart takes that oxygen enriched blood to the tissue in the body through the systemic arteries.
(Anon, 2018)
Important features of Gas exchange that allow the gases to flow through the alveoli
1. A large surface area
– There are a lot of alveoli in the lungs
2. Very thin
– The linen is only one cell thick which means that its provided a short diffusion pathway for the gases
–
3. Moist lining
– Every alveolus has a moist lining which enables the gases to dissolve and then diffuse
4. Great blood supply
– Each alveolus in the lungs are surrounded a lot of blood capillaries.
5. Good ventilation
There is an outstanding provision of air which is provided through air.
(YouTube, 2018)
Show how two different systems communicate for normal functioning of the respiratory system
The Medulla
The medulla is the primary respiratory control centre and is anterior to the cerebellum. Its main function is to send signals to the muscle that are in control of respiration to allow breathing to occur. The medulla has two main parts that control respiration:
The ventral respiratory grouping stimulate expiratory movements.
The dorsal respiratory grouping stimulates inspiratory movements. (Neuroscientifically Challenged, 2018)
The pons
It is a major structure that can be found superior to the medulla.
The main function of the pons is to help regulate breathing. There are two main functional regions that have specific roles to play:
The apneustic centre- transport signal needed for long and deep breaths. It commands the intensity of inhalation and exhalation. The apneustic centre is inhibited by signals from the pnuemotaxic centre stretch receptors of the pulmonary muscles at maximum depth of inspiration. (Neuroscientifically Challenged, 2018)
The tidal volume is also increased by the
apneustic centre.
The pnuemotaxic centre- direct signals which inhibit inspiration that will allow it to control the respiratory rate. These signals restrain the signals of the phrenic nerve and constrain the signals of the apneustic centre. The tidal volume is decreased by the pnuemotaxic
The apneustic and pnuemotaxic work in opposition together in other for respiratory rate to be controlled.
These two communicate together to regulate our breathing, ensures that we are our breathing is consistent and our breathing rates go up and down to suit our metabolic rate.
Courses.lumenlearning.com, 2018)
Chemoreceptors and our respiratory centre
– Our peripheral chemoreceptors can be located aortic and carotid bodies.
– The carotid bodies answer to the arterial hypoxia raising the nerve from the carotid sinus nerve
– The carotid body is connected to the brainstem in the respiratory centre.
– Carotid bodies do not react to CO or anemia and they have a high blood flow.
– The aortic bodies can be found in the brainstem at the cardiovascular centre.
– There main responsibility is to respond to chemical factors linked to the respiratory centre in the arterial blood (Control and Arthur C. Guyton, 2018)
– Aortic bodies are sensitive to CO and anemia
and don’t have a large blood flow like the carotid bodies.
The carotid regulates out heart rate by sending messages to the medulla and the aortic is sensitive to a prominent reduction in oxygen levels in the blood which helps trigger an increase in the respiratory rate. This is how they work together to for the normal functioning of the respiratory system.
(Pittman, 2018)
Concise information of the disease or condition chosen
The condition that will be talked about is Emphysema
What is emphysema?
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is a semi-permanent, progressive disease of the lungs that shortens the breath which is caused by the alveoli (sacs in the lungs) being overly inflated. Constant inflation of these sacs can weaken them and cause them to rupture. Emphysema causes a decrease in the oxygen levels in the blood and the increase in the carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Symptoms of emphysema
– The symptoms of emphysema can be mild, moderate or severe.
– This can include shortness of breath (Dyspnea)
– difficulty breathing
– a persistent cough
– swelling in the feet and ankles (edema)
– Fatigue
– Weight loss
– Chest pain
– Headaches (caused by retained carbon dioxide during sleep
Signs of emphysema
– Barrel chest (this is when the shape of the chest changes due to expansion of the lungs and chest wall)
– Wheezes and crackles which take place during inhalation and the decrease in breath
– Breathing muscles have irregular movements
– Delay in periods of exhalation and grunting while exhaling
– Quivering of chest whilst speaking
Causes of emphysema
– Smoking is said to be the main causes of emphysema
– Second hand smoking
– Excessive exposure to dust, fumes and vapours such as cadmium, coal dust, grain, ciliates and flour dust.
– Air pollution
– Asthma may lead to emphysema
Treatments for emphysema
– Emphysema is an irreversible disease which means that it cannot be cured and it get progressive over time
– Medication can be given to help to increase exercise tolerance to improve the overall health capacity.
– Oxygen therapy can be given to the individual continuously for relief of sudden shortness of breath and during activity.
– Quit smoking – it essential that the individual that has the disease should help to slow down the progressiveness by quitting the smoke.
– Immunizations – to prevent infection it is important for the individual to stay up to date with the current vaccinations needed like the flu and pneumonia vaccine.
– Stay active- emphysema makes it harder to exercise so it is important the individual incorporates a combination of strength, endurance and flexibility training
– Surgery- lung volume reduction surgery is the removal of damaged tissue which can help those that suffer with severe emphysema.
(Verywell Health, 2018)
1.7 Carry out a primary piece of research regarding the disease/condition chosen. This may be a case study or a survey
Eileen McCarthy is a 55 year old woman that suffers with Emphysema which is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Eileen doesn’t have the best life style out there but she tries to be healthy whenever she can. She exercises every other week and has a salad whenever she remembers she needs to be healthy.
Eileen has been smoking since she was 16 and has recently stopped due to her being diagnosed with emphysema.
Whilst Eileen was still smoking she realised that she developed a persistent cough that she could not get rid of. She didn’t pay much attention to it as she just thought it was a smokers cough. Eileen’s symptoms became worse as she began to have severe chest pains and difficulty breathing so she decided to visit her local gp.
Eileen’s Gp did a general health check and noticed that her breathing was rapid and she was underweight so she got sent to a hospital for further tests to be carried out.
Eileen had a Pulmonary function test (PFT), a chest x-ray and a CT scan which all confirmed that she had Emphysema.
Luckily for Eileen her emphysema was not severe and was at the stage where it could still be maintained. The specialist ensured that Eileen became educated about her condition and she was also given tips about how to change her lifestyle and manage her condition.