How do a sponge, an earthworm, a fish and a human breathe? Here you learn the parts of the human respiratory system, the movements of the chest that pull air in and push it out, and the volumes of air that a spirometer measures.
3 lessons, about 1 h 20 min3 simulations10 problems3 practice questionsPython in every lesson
Created by StemPy LabEvery animal needs oxygen and must get rid of carbon dioxide, but the organs differ: the body surface, tracheal tubes, gills and lungs. In humans the air travels from the nostrils through the pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi to the alveoli, where gas exchange takes place. The lungs lie in an air-tight chest and are covered by two layers of pleura.
Air moves in and out of the lungs because the pressure inside them changes. The diaphragm and the external intercostal muscles raise the volume of the chest in inspiration, and relaxing them lets air out in expiration. A healthy adult breathes 12 to 16 times a minute and moves 6000 to 8000 mL of air in that minute.
A spirometer measures the volumes of air that move in and out of the lungs. There are four volumes (TV, IRV, ERV and RV), and the capacities are sums of them (IC, EC, FRC, VC and TLC). In an average adult the tidal volume is about 500 mL.
Log in to join the discussion.
Loading…
With Standard, you also open 12 more problems, 2 Python labs and 1 extra course. Everything you have used here stays free, always.