Breathing Lab
TOPIC: Examining the capacity of human lungs.
RESEARCH
QUESTION: In what ways do gender, height, weight and practicing sports influence the capacity of human lungs?
INTRODUCTION: Breathing is the process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through the mouth or nose due to muscle contraction, and then exhaled due to muscle relaxation. It provides a supply of fresh air to the lungs and removes the building up carbon dioxide, which is the result of cellular metabolism and completely unnecessary for the organism. Therefore, it is an essential mechanism in every living organism. Tidal volume (TV) is the volume of gas inhaled and exhaled during one respiratory cycle, this volume is equal to approximately 500 milliliters. vital capacity (VC) is the volume of gas that can be expelled from the lungs from a position of full inspiration, with no limit to duration of inspiration; equal to inspiratory capacity plus expiratory reserve volume. This volume is approximately 4.8 liters.
Expiratory reserve capacity (ERV) is the maximum volume of air that can be voluntarily exhaled. This experiment covers the various aspects affecting human lung capacity. The aspects to be tested include weight, height, sex, and physical activity of the subjects. It can be assumed that heavier people have a larger lung capacity, than lighter people and that taller people have a larger lung capacity than shorter people, simply because of ratios. It is also proven that, in general, women have a smaller lung capacity than men, and that athletes have a larger lung capacity than average people. This experiment will test 10 people in the same room, in the same conditions; therefore the variable of air composition is controlled. In this experimental a spirometer will be used to measure the volumes defined above and the breathing rate.
RESEARCH
QUESTION: In what ways do gender, height, weight and practicing sports influence the capacity of human lungs?
INTRODUCTION: Breathing is the process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through the mouth or nose due to muscle contraction, and then exhaled due to muscle relaxation. It provides a supply of fresh air to the lungs and removes the building up carbon dioxide, which is the result of cellular metabolism and completely unnecessary for the organism. Therefore, it is an essential mechanism in every living organism. Tidal volume (TV) is the volume of gas inhaled and exhaled during one respiratory cycle, this volume is equal to approximately 500 milliliters. vital capacity (VC) is the volume of gas that can be expelled from the lungs from a position of full inspiration, with no limit to duration of inspiration; equal to inspiratory capacity plus expiratory reserve volume. This volume is approximately 4.8 liters.
Expiratory reserve capacity (ERV) is the maximum volume of air that can be voluntarily exhaled. This experiment covers the various aspects affecting human lung capacity. The aspects to be tested include weight, height, sex, and physical activity of the subjects. It can be assumed that heavier people have a larger lung capacity, than lighter people and that taller people have a larger lung capacity than shorter people, simply because of ratios. It is also proven that, in general, women have a smaller lung capacity than men, and that athletes have a larger lung capacity than average people. This experiment will test 10 people in the same room, in the same conditions; therefore the variable of air composition is controlled. In this experimental a spirometer will be used to measure the volumes defined above and the breathing rate.