Topic 2: Sticky mucus causing CF

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What is the role of mucus in the bronchioles?
Catches dust, debri & micro-organisms that enter the airway
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What cell produces mucus?
Globlet cells in the walls of the bronchioles.
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How is mucus transported in the bronchioles? How does CF affect this?
Mucus is removed by the constant wave-like beating of the cilia that cover the epithelial cells lining the bronchioles. In people with CF, the mucus contains much less water making a sticky mucus layer that's hard for the cilia to move.
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Describe the structure of sample of epithelium.
Epithelium consists of 1 or more layers sitting on a basement membrane made of protein fibres in a jelly-like protein-carbohydrate mix. This basement layer anchors the epithelium to the connective tissue below.
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Differentiate between the apical and basal membrane in the epithelium.
Apical membrane faces away from the basement membrane and towards the lumen. The basal membrane directly faces the basement membrane.
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How does sticky mucus increase the chances of lung infection?
Some of the micro-organisms that get trapped in the mucus are pathogens. In people with CF, the sticky mucus can't be moved by cilia to the stomach so a thickened layer of mucus build in airways causing harmful bacteria to thrive.
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How do white blood cells increase the chances of lung infection?
Fight infections in the mucus but as they die they release DNA that makes mucus even stickier. Repeated lung infections weaken's body's ability to fight pathogens + damages structure of the gas exchange system.
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Why can't larger animals survive on diffusion?
Their SA: Volume ratio is too small so the distances to the innermost tissue is too far to supply oxygen fast enough via diffusion.
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Give 3 examples of features of the gas exchange system that make it efficient.
1. Alveoli have a large SA. 2.Numerous capillaries surround the alveoli. 3. Alveoli & capillaries have thin walls so short distance for diffusion.
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How does surface area affect the rate of diffusion?
Directly proportional to the rate of diffusion. As SA increase, rate of diffusion increases.
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How does the concentration gradient affect the rate of diffusion?
Directly proportional to the rate of diffusion. The greater the concentration gradient, the faster the rate of diffusion.
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How does the thickness of the gas exchange surfaces affect the rate of diffusion?
Indirectly proportional to the rate of diffusion. The thicker the surface the slower the rate of diffusion.
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How does sticky mucus affect gas exchange?
Blocks bronchioles, preventing air movement beyond blockage. This reduces no. of alveoli available for gas exchange = smaller SA. Overinflation of the lung tissue beyond blockage can damage elasticity of lungs.
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Why do people with CF find it hard to exercise?
Their gas exchange system can't deliver enough oxygen to their muscle cells.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What cell produces mucus?

Back

Globlet cells in the walls of the bronchioles.

Card 3

Front

How is mucus transported in the bronchioles? How does CF affect this?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Describe the structure of sample of epithelium.

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Differentiate between the apical and basal membrane in the epithelium.

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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