Asthma Attack! Slides to Accompany the Case Study: by NATIONAL CENTER FOR CASE STUDY TEACHING IN SCIENCE Slides to Accompany the Case Study: Asthma Attack! by Hollie L. Leavitt Department of Biology College of Western Idaho, Nampa, ID
Air Flow The following equation can be used to calculate air flow (F) through the respiratory passageways: F = ΔP / R Where: ΔP = The difference between atmospheric and intrapulmonary pressure R = Resistance to air flow
Factors That Affect Resistance Normal bronchiole Asthmatic Bruce Blaus, Wikimedia Commons The following factors increase resistance, decreasing air flow to and from the lungs: Constriction of airways Mucus accumulation This image was taken from Wikimedia and modified to add descriptions of the bronchioles. Image is available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asthma_(Lungs).png