Year 10 - Physical education
The mechanics of breathing
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 air 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.
- A spirometer trace is a graphical representation of lung volume changes over time during breathing.
Vocabulary To Learn
- inhalation: the process of breathing in air by expanding the lung volume
- exhalation: the process of breathing out air by reducing the lung volume
- tidal volume: the volume of air breathed in or out during normal breathing
- vital capacity: the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after a maximum inhalation
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? 'inhalation'
the process of breathing in air by expanding the lung volume.
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
- Mechanics of breathing and interpretation of a spirometer trace Study Guide
- Structure of the cardiovascular system Study Guide
- The cardiac cycle 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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