Resistance

Definition

Resistance is the opposition to airflow within the respiratory system or an ecosystem's ability to withstand disturbances. It plays a crucial role in both breathing mechanics and ecological stability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Airway resistance affects the ease of breathing and can be influenced by factors such as airway diameter and mucus buildup.
2. Pulmonary diseases like asthma and COPD increase airway resistance, making it harder for patients to breathe.
3. In ecosystems, resistance refers to the ability of an ecosystem to remain unchanged when subjected to disturbances.
4. High biodiversity often contributes to greater ecosystem resistance by providing functional redundancy among species.
5. Human activities, such as deforestation and pollution, can reduce an ecosystem's resistance, making it more vulnerable to changes.

Review Questions

• How does airway diameter affect respiratory resistance?
• What role does biodiversity play in an ecosystem's resistance?
• Can you explain how human activities impact the resistance of ecosystems?

Related terms

Compliance: The measure of lung expandability; low compliance indicates stiff lungs that require more effort to inflate.

Resilience: The capacity of an ecosystem to recover after a disturbance; different from resistance but equally important for maintaining ecological balance.

Homeostasis: The process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.