Systematic Lig Levels: The Human Respiratory System

I. Introduction The human respiratory system allows cells to have indirect contact with the external environment through gas exchange. This association permits cells to exchange metabolic by-products like carbon dioxide for oxygen. These oxygen molecules are a vital component for cellular metabolism and ATP production. Furthermore, the function of the respiratory system also encompasses homeostatic regulation of pH levels based on partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Changes are detected by the central and peripheral chemoreceptors of the central nervous system. Subsequently, some events require rapid feedback from the respiratory system in order to maintain adequate oxygen levels inside the body. For instance, strenuous exercise increases the demand for oxygen (Widmaier et al, 2015, 44). Overall, the concept of gas exchange, respiration rate, and acid-base balance were applied to the experiments performed during the respiratory lab. These trials involved measuring static lung volume using a spirometer. Alongside witnessing the effects …show more content…
Ultimately this comprise of three types of lung volumes. The first is tidal volume (TV) that refers to the volume of air derived from normal inspiration and expiration. The second classification of lung volume is inspiratory reserve volume (IRV). This is the maximum volume of air that can be inhaled right after a normal inspiration. The last type of static lung volume is expiratory reserve volume (ERV). ERV refers to the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled following a tidal expiration (Widmaier et al, 2015, 454-456). Knowing this background information, the hypothesis for this experiment involved the ERV and IRV having greater volumes compared to the TV. However, between the IRV and ERV, it was predicted that the ERV would be greater in volume due to the air remaining in the respiratory tract that have not yet reached the