Resp Mechanics Lab 1

 Measuring Normal Respiratory Volumes
1) Calculate the minute respiratory volume using the tidal volume and breaths per minute (pump rate).
2) Define the following terms:

a. Respiration- The act of breathing, inhaling, and exhaling.
b. Alveoli- located at the ends of the bronchiole, air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
c. Diaphragm- the partition separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

3) What effect does reducing the radius of the airflow tube on respiratory volumes? Reducing the radius of the airflow tube decreases respiratory volume.
4) How does surfactant affect the tidal volume? It minimizes surface tension in the alveoli which makes it easier for the alveoli to increase surface area for gas exchange.
5) How does the addition of a surfactant affect the total airflow into the lungs? It affects the total airflow because it allows the airflow into the lungs to be increased because resistance is lowered.
6) Why does the surfactant have the effect that it does on total airflow? It minimizes the tension at the surface, which allows the alveoli to increase surface area for gas exchange…we can breathe more and easily.
7) Emphysema is a lung condition that results in a(n) in the tidal volume of the lungs.  Emphysema decreases the tidal volume of the lungs. Effects of Thoracic Cavity Puncture.
8) What happens in pneumothorax? Pneumothorax is also called a collapsed lung. A collapsed lung can occur for a number of reasons. It could be a result of an injury, a medical condition, or it can happen without reason. It occurs when there is a build-up of air around the lungs, and this causes pressure, which keeps the lung from expanding to its normal capacity when breathing.