Question

Anatomy and Physiology ll

What happens to metabolism if you only have 1 lung; give 2 specific examples?

Answer 1

'If a person have only one lung, they can live normal, productive lives without shortness of breadth or other symptoms.Having just one lung might affect the performance of an elite athlete.'

words of DR.DILLING

• However,if a person with one lung suffers a lung disease,he or she will not have any reserve capacity to compensate for loss of lung function caused by the disease.
• Lung function as a defense barrier and metabolic organs,which synthesize some important components.
• Gaseous exchange
• Non -Respiratory functions of respiratory tract

1. Olfaction
2. Vocalization
3. Prevention of Dust particles (cough reflex ,sneezing reflex)
4. Defense Mechanism (important role in the immunological defense system of the body, eg:leuckocytes,macrophages,mast cells,natural killer cells and dendritic cells)
5. Maintenance of water balance. During expiration ,water evaporates through the expired air and some amount of body water is lost by this process

6. Regulation of body temperature

During expiration ,along with water,heat is also lost from the body

7.Regulation of Acid -base balance

By regulating carbon dioxide content in the blood.

8. Anticoagulant function

Mast cells in lungs secrete heparin.Heparin is an anticoagulant and it preventsmthe intravascular clotting.

9.Secretion of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme

Endothelial cells of the pulmonary capillaries secrete the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

It converts the angiotensin I into angiotensin II,which plays an important role in the regulation of ECF volume and blood pressure.

10. Synthesis of hormonal substances.

Lung tissues are synthesize,hormonal substances,prostaglandins ,acetylcholine,and seratonin, which have many physiological actions in the body including regulation of blood pressure.