Question

If it weren’t for the body’s compensatory mechanisms, which of the following would decrease how well an alveolus is ventilated? Select all that apply.

Group of answer choices

A constricted bronchiole leading to the alveolus

A dilated bronchiole leading to the alveolus

A longer-than-average bronchiole leading to the alveolus

A shorter-than-average bronchiole leading to the alveolus

The alveolus is smaller than average

The alveolus is larger than average

Answer 1

Ans- Following of these will decrease in alveolar ventilation-

(i). a contracted bronchiole leading to the alveolus- Bronchoconstriction is a condition in which the smooth muscles of bronchus constricts. This causes the bronchus to narrow and restrict the amount of air passing to the lungs or less ventilation to the alveoli.

Whereas dialation of bronchiole will lead to more ventilation of bronchiole.

(ii). a longer than average bronchiole leading to the alveolus- Airways resistance will be lowest in small airways die to large number of parallal bronchioles while it will be more in larger airways.

(iii). The alveolus is smaller than average- Comparing the two alveoli with different radii, the smaller the radius the greater the pressure created by given surface tension. Air will flow from high pressure (smaller alveoli) to low pressure (larger alveoli). The smaller alveoli are this likely to collapse more.