Category: Respiratory System

Characteristics of Cardio-respiratory system

The lungs can carry out the procedure of gas exchange because:

• They have millions of air bags which forms an expanded surface area for hasty diffusion to take place of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Alveoli has cells that are one cell thick meaning less journey for diffusion.
• Strong blood delivering aspect that why is why every alveolus is near a capillary. Capillary cells are very thin as well, gases can travel hastily from the alveoli to the blood and the other way around.
• The journey of blood within the capillaries indicates a vertical concentration gradient is followed, this makes sure diffusion of gases is taking place hastily.

Diffusion of oxygen

The air within the alveolus is full of oxygen. Blood travelling from the body within capillaries lack in oxygen. Oxygen diffuses along the concentration gradient from the alveolus to the capillary where it mixes with haemoglobin in the red blood cells and is delivered within the body.

Diffusion 0f carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide from cellular respiration within the body is delivered in the blood to the lungs. Blood that is being going into alveolus has increased amount of carbon dioxide and the air within the alveolus lacks in carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide follows the concentration gradient into the alveolus, where it is given off to the outer surrounding.

The ongoing thrusting of blood through the capillary and ventilation of the lungs considers vertical concentration gradient is flowed, which when linked with quicker diffusion road, that hasty beat of diffusion is continuous.

Chemoreceptors

When exercising, carbon dioxide quantity within the blood goes up because of higher levels respiration happening within the body cells. Carbon dioxide within the blood gives rise to carbonic acid, this causes a drop in blood pH levels.

When the pH of the blood drops, chemoreceptors within the carotid artery and aorta are aroused and delivers signals to the ventilation system. The ventilation centre reacts with signals to the outer intercostal muscles and the diaphragm to rise breathing rate. This is the role of sympathetic nervous system.

Flow of the blood

The cardiovascular system includes a muscular thrust, the heart, that thrusts blood within a system containing blood vessels. Blood is thrusted into arteries which breaks into tiny vessels known as arterioles. Arterioles divide even more into tissues known as capillaries, where variation of substances within tissues and blood occurs. From capillaries blood is delivered into huge vessels which are venules, link to create veins, huge vessels that delivers the blood back to the heart.

Assessing the nervous management of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in maintaining a constant body environment

Throughout the whole report I have been explaining how the nervous system is involved in the function of cardiorespiratory system in detail. Now I will briefly include how they work together and some other aspects. The cardiovascular system fulfils the necessity of the body by sending oxygen, hormones and nutrients and white blood cells everywhere in the body by pumping blood, also gets ride of unwanted materials. The body parts linked with it are heart and blood vessels. Contact with the nervous system, this is how the nervous system also control the cardiovascular system: endothelial cells manage the blood – brain fence. Baroreceptors deliver data to the brain regarding blood pressure. Cerebrospinal liquid goes into the venous blood supply. The brain deal with the heart rate and blood pressure. Our circulatory system provides oxygen, water, and nutrients to cell all over the body. The job of the respiratory system is to deliver oxygen to the blood and eject carbon dioxide, the body parts linked with this task are lungs, larynx, pharynx, trachea, and bronchi. The way nervous system also controls this activity is by making the brain keep track of the respiratory volume and blood gas levels. The brain adjusts the respiratory rate. The nervous system takes control of the cardiorespiratory system with electrical signals, as if any system in your body is not responding smoothly, other systems will have an impact due to this.

Factors that might cause variations within the cardiovascular and respiratory system are blood oxygen levels if it is less than required or if blood carbon dioxide level escalated, drop in blood pH quantity, rise in blood pH, variations within blood pressure either escalated or dropped impact on action potentials due to variation in blood pressure. How these factors can be managed by baroreceptors and chemoreceptors, I have talked about above in the report in detail. The changes within respiratory system can be figured out by chemoreceptors which focuses on pH levels in the blood, delivers material to the respiratory centres of the brain so they can manage the ventilation rate to create a difference in acidity by raising or lowering the ejection of carbon dioxide as it is associated with risen amount of hydrogen ions available in blood. With the information I provided under baroreceptors and chemoreceptors, I also included how the detection and the combination of nervous pathways worked together to bring back the normal way of functioning.

Now, I will look at how two neurological disorder interferes with the normal working cardiovascular and respiratory systems as this is another factor that causes variations within these two systems. I have included the two diseases above that I chose: Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Within the nervous system, the area of the brain called substantia nigra is affected.

I have talked about above how Parkinson’s disease occurs and the symptoms of it. Now I will talk about how Parkinson’s disease has an impact on the autonomic nervous system, it has two parts sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways. When encountered by Parkinson’s disease the ANS does not perform smoothly, this is known as autonomic dysfunction. You can be the victim of this dysfunction due to unavailability of dopamine delivering cells and the availability of Lewy bodies in the brain. As ANS handles the heart rate, breathing, body temperature, digestion, PD affects these activities of the ANS. The way Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system is by causing a shortage of nerve cells in an aspect of the brain known as substantia nigra, it sends signals, due to this disorder the signal step becomes slow so the nervous system is not being able to function smoothly which involves the ANS. Due to this disorder the neurotransmitter dopamine is in shortage it manages the movement of the body. The effect of PD on cardiovascular system: Lewy body pathology and neurodegeneration involved in brain and ANS can have very soon impact on the cardiovascular system. The most usual issue seen is neurogenic orthostatic hypotension or fall in blood pressure when standing up. The way PD causes disruption to the respiratory system is: limiting variations inferior to chest wall firmness and less space in lung volume, unusual ventilatory management as the signals are not being able to reach the systems on time, it is affecting everything. The brain is not being able to keep up with the respiratory volume and blood gas quantity. Baroreceptors are unable to deliver data to the brain about blood pressure. These are how the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems are affected by PD overall, it disrupts the normal activities going on and the signals involved.

The 2nd disorder that I chose is multiple sclerosis that affects the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory system. I have talked about above in my report how this disease takes place and the symptoms associated with it. Now I will focus on how the central nervous system/ANS if affected by this order as well as cardiorespiratory system. So, firstly the ANS has an impact because this disorder causes disruption to the nervous system, the supportive layer on myelin in the control nervous system is ruined, which causes numbness on the limbs, pain or uncomfortable sensations on various aspects of the body. The ANS is affected because it is unable to deliver signals that will go by the neurons, it makes the impulse take longer to move or get misplaced, due to mistaking the myelin in this condition it affects the ANS. The way MS can disrupt cardiovascular system by causing unusuality in blood pressure replies, heart rate heart rhythm, left ventricular systolic activity. From a published journal it is proved that women who are the victim of MS can be the victim of heart attack, stroke and heart stopping to work, they have a greater risk from these. There is a disruption with the baroreceptors as they are unable to contact the brain about data linked to blood pressure due to slow response which will affect the health overall. The brain will not be able to handle the blood pressure. Respiratory system is also affected by MS you will not feel power within your muscles and durability. This can be seen in arms or legs but also it can impact the ventilatory muscles of the chest and abdomen that support breathing. The signals are not there for the brain to handle respiratory volume and blood gas quantity, also handle respiratory rate.

The diagram attached displays the blood vessels and the route of blood traveling around the cardiovascular system:

• The layout and role of blood vessels

A shut circulation – Blood vessels from a shut system that starts and completes with the heart. Every time the blood is covered by arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, or veins which are of different sizes.

Arteries move blood away from the heart and separates to create tiny arteries and arterioles. Arteries again split to create capillaries which makes ways of tiny blood vessels within the tissues. Capillaries link to create venules, which link to give veins. Veins deliver blood to the heart again.

• The layout of the heart

The heart is created of cardiac muscle. The cells within the muscle fibres of cardiac muscle are interlinked, which gives the flexibility to signals to go here and there hastily between muscle cells.

Heart muscle is myogenic, so it can contract and rest when needed without any damage on its own agreement.

Each side of the heart is covered two slots: upper chamber and the lower chamber. These are split by a valve, which keeps track the blood is traveling in one way within the heart.

References:

1. courses.lumenlearning.com. (n.d.). Respiration Control | Boundless Anatomy and Physiology. [online] Available at: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ap/chapter/respiration-control/#:~:text=The%20respiratory%20centers%20contain%20chemoreceptors.
2. APDA. (2018). Cardiovascular Effects of Parkinson’s | APDA. [online] Available at: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/heart-and-parkinsons/.
3. Autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: Implications for pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. (2020). Neurobiology of Disease, [online] 134, p.104700. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969996119303754.
4. Torsney, K. and Forsyth, D. (2017). Respiratory dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, [online] 47(1), pp.35–39. Available at: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/jrcpe_47_1_forsyth.pdf.
5. nhs.uk. (2017). Parkinson’s disease. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/#:~:text=Parkinson%27s%20disease%20is%20caused%20by [Accessed 2 Nov. 2020].

The respiratory system is a biological marvel that ensures the seamless continuity of life through every breath taken. This system, composed of complex organs and tissues, orchestrates the vital exchange of gases, enabling humans to absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. This essay aims to elucidate the intricate workings of the respiratory system, its components, functions, the role it plays in maintaining homeostasis, and the significance of respiratory health in overall well-being.

Understanding the Respiratory System

The respiratory system comprises two key zones: the conducting zone and the respiratory zone. The former includes nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles, serving as conduits for airflow. Meanwhile, the latter, composed of the alveoli, is where the gas exchange occurs.

The journey of a breath begins in the conducting zone. Air enters through the nostrils, passes the nasal cavity, where it gets filtered, warmed, and humidified, and continues down to the pharynx. From the pharynx, the air moves through the larynx, often referred to as the ‘voice box,’ and proceeds into the trachea. The trachea divides into two bronchi, which further branch out into numerous bronchioles that terminate at the alveoli in the respiratory zone.

The alveoli, minute sacs surrounded by capillaries, facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The oxygen diffuses across the thin alveolar-capillary barrier into the bloodstream, binding with hemoglobin in red blood cells to be transported throughout the body. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism, diffuses out of the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.

Respiratory System and Homeostasis

One of the respiratory system’s lesser-known roles is maintaining homeostasis – a stable, constant internal environment. It does this by regulating oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and maintaining the blood’s pH level. By eliminating carbon dioxide, a mildly acidic compound, the respiratory system ensures that the body’s pH does not become excessively acidic, which could be detrimental to many enzymatic reactions and overall body functions.

In tandem with the circulatory system, the respiratory system also contributes to the regulation of body temperature. When the body is overheated, the rate of respiration increases, resulting in water and heat loss during exhalation, thereby cooling the body.

Interplay with the Circulatory System

The respiratory and circulatory systems share a synergistic relationship, working hand in hand to ensure the optimal function of various physiological processes. This cooperative interaction is crucial for transporting and exchanging gases and maintaining body temperature, further influencing other aspects of bodily functions.

At the heart of this partnership is the gas exchange that occurs in the alveoli. The respiratory system facilitates the intake of oxygen from the environment into the alveoli. Oxygen then diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli into the surrounding capillaries. This is where the circulatory system plays its part. Red blood cells in the capillaries bind the oxygen to a molecule called hemoglobin, transforming it into oxyhemoglobin. This oxygen-rich blood is then transported to the heart, which pumps it to various tissues and organs throughout the body.

Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, diffuses from the cells into the bloodstream. The blood transports this carbon dioxide back to the lungs, where it diffuses into the alveoli to be expelled during exhalation. This efficient gas exchange is a testament to the exquisite coordination between the respiratory and circulatory systems.

Furthermore, these two systems work in conjunction to regulate body temperature, a process known as thermoregulation. During physical exertion or in hot environments, the body’s temperature rises. The respiratory rate increases to combat this, leading to a greater heat loss through exhalation. Concurrently, the circulatory system responds by dilating the blood vessels close to the skin surface, a process known as vasodilation. This increases blood flow to the skin, enabling heat to radiate out into the environment, effectively cooling the body down.

The Importance of Respiratory Health

Understanding the workings of the respiratory system underscores the importance of respiratory health. Various factors, such as environmental pollution, smoking, and certain diseases, can impair the functionality of the system. For example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma can cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways, obstructing airflow.

Another significant respiratory disease is pneumonia, where the alveoli are filled with fluid or pus, disrupting gas exchange. Pneumonia can be life-threatening, especially for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Further, the recent global health crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) primarily affects the respiratory system, highlighting its vulnerability and the critical importance of maintaining its health.

Common Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases affecting parts of the airway and other lung structures are prevalent across the globe. These conditions range from temporary disturbances to chronic illnesses that necessitate long-term medical attention.

Recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing are symptoms of asthma, a chronic illness of the airways. Inflammation that narrows the airways and limits airflow is what causes it. Environmental triggers including allergies, pollutants, and specific physical activity can cause asthma episodes. Despite being chronic, asthma may be effectively treated with the right care, enabling people to lead full, active lives.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), comprising conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is another prevalent respiratory disease. It is often associated with long-term exposure to harmful pollutants, with tobacco smoke being the most common. COPD is characterized by progressive airflow limitation, leading to difficulty breathing. Emphysema primarily affects the alveoli, damaging their walls and causing them to merge, reducing the total surface area for gas exchange. Chronic bronchitis involves long-term inflammation of the bronchi, resulting in excess mucus production that obstructs the airways. While COPD is incurable, its progression can be slowed with treatment and lifestyle changes.

Pneumonia, an infection that inflames the alveoli, can be caused by various microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Symptoms often include cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Severe cases can be life-threatening, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and infants.

More recently, the world has been grappling with the respiratory disease COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This disease primarily affects the lungs, and severe cases can lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Symptoms range from mild, such as cough and fever, to severe, including difficulty breathing and loss of taste or smell. COVID-19 has underscored the importance of respiratory health on a global scale.

Conclusion

To summarize, the respiratory system is an incredible biological network that guarantees human existence through critical gas exchange and homeostasis maintenance. Its interaction with the circulatory system demonstrates how seamlessly the many systems of our body work together. Common respiratory illnesses, however, have the potential to upset this equilibrium, making the necessity of excellent respiratory health practices even more important. Despite the fact that breathing seems easy, our bodies are incredibly complex and effective. Understanding these complications will enable us to promote a more proactive approach to respiratory health, thereby raising many people’s quality of life.