Respiratory system-responses and adaptations

Question	Answer
What are the responses of the respiratory system to exercise? (2)	-increased rate and depth of breathing -increased gas exchange
How can we determine our aerobic fitness?	-respiratory system -VO2 max
What does the oxygen disassociation curve tell us?	The ability for haemoglobin to become saturated with oxygen at relatively low oxygen partial pressures. The S shape is significant in indicating that blood can become fully saturated with oxygen at low partial pressures. Image: Hb-O2-dissociation-curve (image/jpg)
What are adaptations of the respiratory system to exercise?	-an aerobic training scheme can increase the surface area of the alveoli, thereby increasing the surface area for gaseous exchange. -training will also strengthen the muscles involved in breathing (intercostal muscles/ diaphragm)
Give examples of secondary respiratory muscles	internal intercostals, pectorals, trapezium, latissumus dorsi and abdominals.
What is anatomical dead space?	The respiratory passageways in which air is ventilated through but doesn't contribute to gas exchange in the alveoli, it typically amounts to 150ml. Alveolar dead space (alveolar collapse/ obstruction by mucus) is added to this dead space.

Resource summary

	Created by Camilla Donaldson about 10 years ago