Year 10 - Physical education
Mechanics of breathing and interpretation of a spirometer trace
Anatomy and physiology: the cardio-respiratory system
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit will examine the structure and function of both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It includes the correct anatomical names and location of different chambers, valves and blood vessels as well as the pathway of air through to the alveoli and how gaseous exchange occurs.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the mechanics of breathing and how lung volumes are measured.
Key Notes
- During inhalation the intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract to expand the thoracic cavity volume, so air rushes in.
- During exhalation the intercostal muscles relax, the rib cage returns to its resting position and air is expelled.
- During exercise the lungs can expand more using the pectoralls and sternocleidmastoid.
- Expiration is aided by the abdominals pulling the ribs down quicker to force air out.
- A spirometer trace is a graphical representation of lung volume changes over time during breathing.
Vocabulary To Learn
- tidal volume: the volume of air breathed in or out during normal breathing
- inspiratory reserve volume: the additional volume of air that can be forcefully inhaled after a normal inhalation
- expiratory reserve volume: the additional volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal exhalation
- residual volume: the amount of air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Tidal volume is the amount of air breathed in and out per breath and the lungs completely empty of air when we expire.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
During inhalation the intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract to expand the thoracic cavity volume, so air rushes in. During exhalation the intercostal muscles relax, the rib cage returns to its resting position and air is expelled.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'tidal volume'
the volume of air breathed in or out during normal breathing.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Tidal volume is the amount of air breathed in and out per breath and the lungs completely empty of air when we expire. Correction: Tidal volume is the volume of air breathed in or out per breadth and it increases during exercise to enable more air and hence exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to occur. A residual volume of air always remains in the lungs to keep them inflated.
More Lessons In This Unit
- A practical exploration of how the cardio-respiratory systems work together Study Guide
- A practical exploration of the pathway of blood Study Guide
- Air pathway from the atmosphere to alveoli and gaseous exchange Study Guide
- Blood vessels and blood cells Study Guide
- Blood vessels, blood cells and the vascular shunt Study Guide
- Double circulatory system and structure of the heart Study Guide
- Structure of the cardiovascular system Study Guide
- The cardiac cycle Study Guide
- The mechanics of breathing Study Guide
- The relationship between heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output Study Guide
- The structure of the heart Study Guide
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