Measuring the process 7.3 Flashcards
How to measure the volume of air coming in and out of lungs
Peak flow meter, Vitalograph, Spirometer
Peak Flow Meter
Breathe into it and it shows the volume of air your lungs can breathe out. Simple device.
Vitalograph
A more complex version of a peak flow meter still measures the amount of air forcefully expelled to test how the lungs work. Have to breathe out as fast as you can and it’s plotted against time.
Spirometer
Measures many different aspects of the lungs and how they work, and different breathing patterns.
Tidal Volume
The volume of air that is breathed in and out at rest
Vital Capacity
The volume of air exhaled when the deepest inhale has been taken
Inspiratory Reserve Volume
This is the maximum volume of air breathed in, above the tidal volume
Expiratory Reserve Volume
This is the maximum amount of volume breathed out, above the tidal volume
Residual Volume
This is the amount of air left inside the lungs after the hardest exhale has been taken.
Total Lung Capacity
This is the residual volume + vital capacity
How to calculate the breathing rate
Number of breaths per minute
Ventilation rate
The total volume of air inhaled in one minute (tidal volume x breathing rate)
What happens when you exercise?
The tidal volume will increase and become much higher and your breathing rate will become faster so this means your ventilation will also be faster so more oxygen is exchanged so it can meet the metabolic demands.
