Question

•Hydrogen bonding between water molecules is essential for lung expansion to occur, but also increases resistance during inspiration. Explain this contrast by describing the locations and how hydrogen bonding plays a positive and negative role in ventilation.

•Draw a diagram of the lung to show these opposing forces

•What would happen if intrapleural pressure(IPP) equaled atmospheric pressure (AtmP)?

•How could this happen?

Answer 1

1.Hydrogen bonding between water molecules are essential for maintaining polar structure.The oxygen present within the water creates electronegativity i.e. more positive molecule on one side and more negative charges at another side.when many water molecules come together forms the transient bond with negative charges at one molecule and positive charges of neighbour molecule. The force of surface tension gets created when water molecules pulls each other closer.This is the reason, it increases resistance during inspiration.Inside the alveoli, surface tension limits the chances of collapse of alveolae.Hydrogen bonding is important during ventilation process.The alveolar cells within the lung releases the pulmonary surfectants and mixes with alveolar fluid to decrease surface tension during inhalation and it prevents collapsing of alveolae during exhalation.

2.

3.When IPP equals to the atmP, it can cause pneumothorax.

4.The condition like pneumothorax occurs in the disease condition where pleural cavities get damaged and that can cause the shortness of oxygen and further it can be fatal.