Question bank: Human Body: Respiratory System

Technological advancement has allowed innovations in the treatment of respiratory diseases, such as continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), widely used in the treatment of sleep apnea. The effectiveness of this treatment is based on the principle of keeping the upper airways open, which favors the entry of an adequate amount of air into the lungs during sleep. However, knowledge of the components and functioning of the respiratory system is essential to understand the mechanism of action of CPAP. Considering a patient with sleep apnea, explain how the obstruction of the upper airways affects the entry of air into the lungs and describe the role of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles in the breathing process. Additionally, discuss how CPAP therapy acts to overcome the respiratory difficulties resulting from the obstruction, relating the physical characteristics of air to pulmonary physiology.

Consider an athlete who is engaging in intense physical activity, such as running a marathon. During the exercise, the athlete breathes rapidly and deeply to meet the body's demand for oxygen. Based on the review of the human respiratory system we did in class, describe the process that occurs in the lungs and airways from the moment the athlete inhales air until the oxygen reaches the blood capillaries in the lungs. Additionally, explain how the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system relate to the athlete's need to oxygenate the blood more efficiently during exercise.

Consider the following experiment: a person is engaging in moderate physical exercise, and after some time, it is observed that their respiratory rate significantly increases. Based on your knowledge of the human respiratory system: 1) Explain the mechanism by which the respiratory system adapts to provide more oxygen to the body during physical exercise. 2) Discuss how the increase in respiratory rate during exercise may be related to other functions of the human body, such as maintaining body temperature and eliminating metabolites.

During a classroom experiment, students were challenged to measure their lung capacity, which is the maximum amount of air the lungs can hold. The teacher explained that this capacity can vary according to body size and the individual's physical condition. Subsequently, a discussion was initiated about athletes and the importance of the respiratory system in sports practice, highlighting how training can influence the improvement of respiratory performance. Considering the human respiratory system, lung capacity, and its relationship with sports practice, discuss how regular training can contribute to increasing lung capacity and what physiological changes may be involved in this process.

Imagine you are explaining to a newly arrived astronaut at the International Space Station (ISS) how the human respiratory system works and what adaptations are necessary to breathe in space. Considering that the ISS is a microgravity environment, where there is no gravity to help direct bodily fluids, and that gas exchange capacity may be affected, describe: 1) How the human respiratory system coordinates the entry and exit of air, and how the absence of gravity could impact this process. 2) Two adaptations that would be necessary for the human body to breathe efficiently in the ISS, explaining the role of each in the context of respiratory physiology.