original Topic does not need a response, only need to reply to (2) peers response. Each reply should have a minimum of 50 words and have 1 reference in APA format. Original Topic: A newborn exhibits signs of respiratory distress due to the lack of surfactant. She has signs of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide.
[1] List all the cells in the alveolus and their function. Explain why the lack of surfactant would result in respiratory distress.
[2] Using the carbonic acid buffering system, explain what is happening to the pH in her blood. What type of acid-base disorder might she develop and how would her body compensate?
Only PEER RESPONSES NEEDED
peer (1) Rachel
Hi Professor and Class,
1) List all the cells in the alveolus and their function. Explain why the lack of surfactant would result in respiratory distress.
Alveolus are tiny air sacs in the lungs that allow rapid gaseous exchange. They take up the oxygen the human breathes and it is what keeps our body functioning. They are a part of our respiratory system and we need these in order to breathe. The alveoli is what opens up and expands in order to let the oxygen in and when you breathe out, the alveoli will then decrease to let out the carbon dioxide.
The alveoli has different types of cells which are the Alveolar Type 1 and the Alveolar Type II. The Type I cells cover a large amount of the alveolar surface and are needed for the exchange or carbon dioxide and oxygen. They are tiny cells that are in the process between the alveoli and blood. The Type II cells are responsible and take care of the alveolar compartment. Any damage that occurs in the alveolar type I is then taken care of by the type II. It stores and releases the pulmonary surfactant into the alveolar hypophase and that is where the conditions act upon of gas exchange.
Surfactants permit the lungs to grow and open more easily. Our air sacs are in need of surfactants in the lungs in order to breathe. If there is no surfactant it can make it very difficult for one to breathe. By not having any surfactant, this will then lead to the alveoli collapsing and won’t be able to function properly and it’s called the Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
The Respiratory Distress Syndrome is when the fluids build up in your lungs making it extremely difficult and dangerous for oxygen to reach your bloodstream. The lungs need to be filled with enough air in order to breathe properly. This type of syndrome affects newborns and prevents normal breathing. The different signs of respiratory distress may be color changes, wheezing, grunting, sweating, etc.
2) Using the carbonic acid buffering system, explain what is happening to the pH in her blood. What type of acid-base disorder might she develop and how would her body compensate?
The carbonic acid buffering system is a buffer system that consists of carbonic acid, weak acid and the bicarbonate anion which is its conjugate base. This is the most important buffering system there is in order to maintain the acid-base balance in the blood. The buffer system serves to both neutralize the gastric acid and stabilize the intracellular pH of epithelial cells.
Carbon dioxide is what enters the blood in the human tissues and the carbon dioxide and H+ flow from the muscles to the blood. The buffering is in charge of picking up the extra H+ and Carbon Dioxide. This then lowers the pH of the blood and causes acidosis. Acidosis is an expansion of acid in the bloodstream and acidosis occurs when your kidneys and lungs cannot keep your body’s pH in proper balance.
The failure of the respiratory system will cause high concentration in the carbon dioxide and low oxygen in the blood. This disorder is called the Respiratory Acidosis in newborns. To be able to recoup the reabsorption of bicarbonate an increase in the tubes- renal will need to maintain an acid base pH regulation in the body. The kidneys have main ways to maintain the right acid base balance which are the cells bicarbonate reabsorb and by reabsorbing and secreting these they will be able to balance the bloodstream’s pH.
References:
Healthline. The Alveoli in Your Lungs. Hecht, M. (November, 2018). https://www.healthline.com/health/alveoli-function (Links to an external site.)
PubMed.gov. Alveolar Type I and Type II Cells. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6598039/ (Links to an external site.)
NCBI. Histology, Alveolar Cells. (April, 2021). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557542/
Healthline. Acidosis. Stephens, C. (October, 2018). https://www.healthline.com/health/acidosis (Links to an external site.)
Osmosis. The Role of The Kidney in Acid-Base Balance. Rishi, D. (2020). https://www.osmosis.org/learn/The_role_of_the_kidney_in_acid-base_balance
Peer (2) Kerri
Hi professor and class,
List all the cells in the alveolus and their function. Explain why the lack of surfactant would result in respiratory destress.
According to Brandt (2021) there are approximately 500 million alveoli in the human body. Within each alveolus, they are separated by an alveolar septum containing the pulmonary capillaries. These participate in the gas exchange and connective tissue. There are three types of cells in the alveolus: Type I pneumocytes, Type II pneumocytes, and Alveolar macrophages. Type I pneumocytes make up for 95% of the internal surface of the alveolus. (Brandt, 2021) These cells are thin squamous cells responsible for gas exchange. They are formed together by tight junctions which prevent fluid from entering the alveoli. The main function of these cells are gas exchange, maintaining ion and fluid balance, and communication with type II pneumocytes to secrete surfactant. The second cell is the type II pneumocytes. These cells are not as prominent as the type I cells and are actually found in between them. They are larger cuboidal cells with microvilli. They contain a surfactant, and this substance decreases the surface tension of the alveoli. The main function of these cells is they produce and secrete pulmonary surfactant, expression of immunomodulatory proteins, transepithelial movement of water, and regeneration after injury. The last cell is called alveolar macrophages. These are “mononuclear phagocytes that are residents in alveoli.” (Brandt, 2021) The difference with these cells is they are derived from blood monocytes. The cell membrane utilizes a network of microtubules and their shape will change during things like phagocytosis or chemotaxis. Alveolar macrophages play an essential role in our immune system. They destroy pathogens we breathe in that can be harmful such as coal, asbestos, and any environmental inhaled substances. Surfactant is vital to reduce surface tension. A lack of surfactant would lead to the alveoli collapsing.
Using the carbonic acid buffering system, explain what is happening to the pH in her blood. What type of acid-base disorder might she develop and how would her body compensate?
The pH in her blood will start to become very acidic and respiratory acidosis will begin. Her body will then try and neutralize this imbalance and there will also be an increase in CO2. Her breathing rate and volume will drastically increase, as well as her blood pressure and heart rate. Blood will then be restricted to outside extremities and everything will start to not function due to the lack of oxygen in the blood.
References:
1. Silverthorn, D.U. (2018). Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach. 8th ed. Pearson.
2. NCBI. (2021). Histology Alveolar Cells. Accessed on July 12th, 2021 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557542/ (Links to an external site.)
