Question

question 7
the ability of the lungs and thorax to stretch is referred to as
pressure equilibrium.
compliance.
elastic recoil.
partial pressure.
question 8
hyperpnea means a(n)
decrease in breathing.
increase in breathing.
temporary cessation of breathing at the end of a normal expiration.
repeated sequence of deep gasps.
question 9
the amount of oxygen that diffuses into blood each minute depends on which factor?
oxygen pressure gradient between alveolar air and incoming pulmonary blood
total functional surface area of the respiratory membrane
respiratory minute volume
alveolar ventilation
all of the above

Explanation:

Question 7

• Pressure equilibrium: It refers to a state where pressures are balanced, not related to stretching ability.
• Compliance: This is the measure of the ability of the lungs and thorax to stretch.
• Elastic recoil: It is the tendency of the lungs to return to their original shape after stretching, not the stretching ability itself.
• Partial pressure: It is related to the pressure of a gas in a mixture, not the stretching property.

• Decrease in breathing: That would be hypopnea, not hyperpnea.
• Increase in breathing: Hyperpnea is defined as an increase in breathing (both rate and depth).
• Temporary cessation of breathing at the end of a normal expiration: That is apnea.
• Repeated sequence of deep gasps: This is not the definition of hyperpnea.

• Oxygen pressure gradient between alveolar air and incoming pulmonary blood: A higher gradient means more oxygen can diffuse (Fick's law of diffusion).
• Total functional surface area of the respiratory membrane: A larger surface area allows more oxygen to diffuse (Fick's law).
• Respiratory minute volume: It affects the amount of air reaching the alveoli, which in turn affects oxygen diffusion.
• Alveolar ventilation: It ensures fresh air (with higher oxygen content) reaches the alveoli for diffusion.

Since all these factors (oxygen pressure gradient, surface area, respiratory minute volume, alveolar ventilation) play a role in the amount of oxygen that diffuses into the blood each minute as per the principles of gas exchange (Fick's law and the mechanics of ventilation - perfusion), the overall factor is all of them.

Answer:

compliance.

Question 8