Biol 2420 Lecture 14

C. Pathological states

i. asthma

episodes of inflammation and strong bronchoconstriction due to hper-responsiveness of

SM to irritants - chronic increase in number of mast cells (lots of histamine)

ii. Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

a. emphysema - destruction and collapse of alveoli and small airways

large increase in airway resistance due to loss of elastic fibres

b. chronic bronchitis - inflammation of airways, accumulation of mucus

Alveolar ventilation

the total ventilation per minute

tidal volume x respiratory rate = ~6000mL/min

due to anatomical dead space, only 350mL of "fresh air" is available for gas exchange per breath

(you have to reinspire a bunch of the dead breath again because it doesn't get
completely expelled)

the alveolar ventilation is the tidal volume - dead space x respiration rate

the depth of the breath is important in increasing alveolar ventilation

Partial Pressures

total P = the summ of the partial pressures of each gas

total P = Pn2 + Po2 + Pco2 + Ph2o

Pgas = fractional concentration x total P

at sea level P = ~160mmHg

at mount everest P = ~52 mmHg

when liquids are exposed to air, gas molecules can dissolve into the liquid

at equilibrium Pgas(air) = Pgas(liquid) note concentrations can be different!!!!

Alveolar gas pressures

gases, both within and between the air and liquid states diffuse down partial pressure gradients

AGAINST CONCENTRATION GRADIENTS

note that the PO2 of the pulmonary vein is less than the PO2 of the expired air!

Matching ventilation with alveolar blood flow

important to match the rate of air flow with the rate of blood of flow

otherwise the blood draining from the poorly ventilated alveoli will mix with the well-
ventilated alveoli decreasing the overall average Po2 of systemic arterial blood

(this is why mean alveolar PO2 is less than the pulmonary vein PO2)

it increases slightly during exercise

local regulation of SM tone in both bronchioles and arterioles in response to PCO2 and PO2 in the ISF
bathing these structures

up PCO2 = bronchioles dilate, systemic arterioles dilate, pulmonary arteries constrict*

up PO2 = bronchioles constrict*, systemic arteries constrict, pulmonary arteries dilate*

Gas Transport in Body Fluids

O2 has low solubility in aqueous solutions

HEMOGLOBIN IN RBCS is the solution!

4 heme groups bound to 2 alpha and 2 beta globin chains

binds O2 when exposed to high PO2, releases O2 when exposed to low PO2

myoglobin facilitates O2 in skeletal muscle