Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test

Which term is synonymous with "breathing" in the context of respiratory physiology?

1. cellular respiration

2. pulmonary ventilation

3. gas exchange

4. ventilation-perfusion

The correct answer is: pulmonary ventilation

The term that is synonymous with "breathing" within the context of respiratory physiology is pulmonary ventilation. This process specifically refers to the mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs, allowing for inhalation and exhalation. It is the physical action of drawing air into the lungs (inspiration) and expelling air out of the lungs (expiration), which is fundamental to the respiratory process. In contrast, cellular respiration refers to the metabolic process in which cells utilize oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, a different concept that occurs at the cellular level. Gas exchange refers to the process that occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and the bloodstream. Ventilation-perfusion describes the relationship between the airflow in the lungs and the blood flow in the pulmonary capillaries, which is important for effective gas exchange but does not specifically pertain to the act of breathing itself. Thus, pulmonary ventilation is the term that directly correlates with the act of breathing.