Physiology

Oxygen Uptake in the Lungs is Increased About 70X by Hemoglobin in the Red Cells In the lungs oxygen must enter the blood A small amount of oxygen dissolves directly in the serum, but 98.5% of the oxygen is carried by hemoglobin All of the hemoglobin is found within the red blood cells (RBCs or erythrocytes) The hemoglobin content of the blood is about 15 gm/deciliter (deciliter = 100 mL) Red cell count is about 5 million per microliter Each Hemog…

COPD and Cancer A.    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 1.    Common features of COPD a.    almost all have smoking history b.    dyspnea - chronic "gasping" for air c.    frequent coughing and infections d.    often leads to respiratory failure 2.    obstructive emphysema - usually results from smoking a.    …

Blood Pressure Blood moves through the arteries, arterioles, and capillaries because of the force created by the contraction of the ventricles. Blood pressure in the arteries. The surge of blood that occurs at each contraction is transmitted through the elastic walls of the entire arterial system where it can be detected as the pulse. Even during the brief interval when the heart is relaxed — called diastole — there is still pressure in the arte…

4.    Emphysema 1. Permanent enlargement of airways with distension of alveolar walls       Thickened Bronchial Submucosa, Edema & Cellular Infiltration (loss of elasticity), Dilation of Air spaces, due to destruction of alveolar walls (Air trapped by obstruction) 2.    Lower Respiratory tree destruction     Respiratory Bronchioles, Alveolar ducts, & Alveolar sacs Types of Emphysema…

Red blood cell cycle: RBCs enter the blood at a rate of about 2 million cells per second. The stimulus for erythropoiesis is the hormone erythropoietin, secreted mostly by the kidney. RBCs require Vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron. The lifespan of RBC averages 120 days. Aged and damaged red cells are disposed of in the spleen and liver by macrophages. The globin is digested and the amino acids released into the blood for protein manufacture; the heme is toxic an…