1. Gas Exchange Air: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases
Dalton’s law: the pressure of all gases present sum to the total gas pressure
Alveolar gas exchange: the flow of O2 and CO2 across the respiratory membrane caused by pressure gradients

2. Gas Exchange
Rate of gas diffusion is dependent on partial pressure, solubility, membrane thickness
Solubility: ability to be dissolved in a tissue or liquid
Oxyhemoglobin: hemoglobin with 4 O2 bound to it
Deoxyhemoglobin: hemoglobin with no O2 bound to it

3. Metabolic Needs
Ambient Po2: affects ability of hemoglobin to give O2 (unloading), based on O2 levels in tissue
Temperature: as it rises O2 unloading increases
Bohr effect: CO2 levels rise, pH of blood lowers and causes an increase in O2 unloading
BPG: metabolic products of RBC’s that rise with higher temperatures increase O2 unloading

4. Respiratory Rhythm
Acidosis: blood pH drops lower than 7.35 caused by abnormally high levels of CO2
Alkalosis: blood pH rises above 7.45 abnormally low levels of CO2
CO2 concentration drives respiration rate through direct interaction mediated by Pco2 and pH
Take your own notes on respiratory disorders