mechanics of breathing

Question 1

breathing is controlled by

Answer 1

muscles

Question 2

what is the diaphragm

Answer 2

a large muscular sheet at the base of the chest cavity, below the lungs

Question 3

when does the diaphragm contract

Answer 3

when you breathe in (inhalation)

Question 4

why does the diaphragm contract

Answer 4

to increase the chest cavity and lung volume

Question 5

what happens when the diaphragm contracts

Answer 5

it flattens, moving downwards

Question 6

where are the intercostal muscles and what do they do

Answer 6

they are located between the ribs and control the movement of the ribcage

Question 7

when the intercostal muscles contract, what happens

Answer 7

the ribcage moves upwards and outwards

Question 8

when the intercostal muscles relax, what happens

Answer 8

ribcage moves downwards and inwards

Question 9

who do the intercostal muscles contract

Answer 9

to increase chest cavity and lung volume

Question 10

why do the intercostal muscles relax

Answer 10

to reduce chest cavity and lung volume

Question 11

when do intercostal muscles contract

Answer 11

during inhalation

Question 12

when do intercostal muscles relax

Answer 12

during exhalation

Question 13

what are the 5 steps of inspiration

Answer 13

1- diaphragm contracts making it flatten and move downwards

2- the intercostal muscles contract moving the ribcage move up and out

3- this causes the chest cavity to expand and lung volume to increase

4- this means air pressure decreases in the lungs compared to outside

5- air moves from area of high to low pressure and oxygen rich air rushes into the lungs

Question 14

what are the 5 steps of expiration

Answer 14

1- when we breathe out, the diaphragm relaxes and moves outwards

2- the intercostal muscles relax and the ribcage moves down and in

3- the chest cavity volume decreases and so does lung volume

4- this means air pressure in the lungs increases relative to outside air

5- so air that contains carbon dioxide is moved out of the lungs

Question 15

aerobic respiration increases breathing rate and depth which means

Answer 15

the diaphragm and intercostal muscles become stronger over time, allowing them to contract with more force, further increasing chest cavity and lung volume SO more oxygen is able to enter the body with each breath and athletes can compete at higher intensities for longer durations