Respiratory system - Exam questions Flashcards
State the meaning of the term ‘pulmonary ventilation’. (1)
The total volume of gas/air inspired or expired per minute
Give a typical value of pulmonary ventilation for a performer at rest. (1)
6-9L/min
Marcos is a marathon runner.
Explain the role of Marcos’s internal and external intercostal muscles during inspiration and expiration. (4)
Inspiration:
- External intercostals contract and internal intercostals relax (1)
- To lift the ribs/thoracic cavity up and out (1)
Expiration:
- External intercostals relax and internal intercostals contract (1)
- To pull the ribs/thoracic cavity down and in (1)
Gas exchange occurs so that Marcos’s body receives oxygen from the air he breathes in.
Explain the process of gaseous exchange of oxygen at the alveoli during a marathon. (4)
- Concentration levels of oxygen in the alveoli is high (1)
- Concentration levels of oxygen in the blood is low (1)
- This means oxygen diffuses quicker (1)
- Oxygen moves from the alveoli into the blood (1)
State the meaning of the term ‘residual volume’. (2)
- The amount of air that is left in the lungs (1)
- After fully exhaling (1)
Give the residual volume, including units, for an average healthy male. (1)
1-1.5 L
Explain two immediate respiratory responses for someone who is competing in a 10,000 m race. (4)
- Increased breathing rate (1)
- Due to a greater demand for oxygen to remove waste products (1)
- Increased tidal volume (1)
- Due to a greater demand demand for oxygen to remove waste products (1)
During a game of tennis, a player’s breathing rate may vary. Explain how increases in levels of carbon dioxide and acidity in the blood cause breathing rate to rise. (3)
- Increased levels of carbon dioxide and blood acidity are detected by the chemoreceptors. (1)
- They are found in the carotoid artery and arotic arch. (1)
- They send a signal down to the medulla oblongata. (1)
- This causes the diaphragm and intercostals to work harder. (1)
- As a result, more oxygen can be diffused in, and increased carbon dioxide diffused out, neutralising the acidity. (1)
Define minute ventilation. (1)
Amount/volume of air breathed out or in per minute (1)
Explain how a cyclists’ increase in minute ventilation allows them to maintain performance throughout the race. (2)
- Increased oxygen exchange in the alveoli. (1)
- Increased oxygen delivery to the working muscles. (1)
- Working muscles are able to work aerobically. (1)
- Delay the onset of fatigue. (1)
- Less lactic acid is produced. (1)
- Increased rate of removal of carbon dioxide in the alveoli. (1)
State the effect that altitude has on a person’s breathing rate. (1)
It increases/speeds it up/makes it faster
Shelly is a cross country runner. During a training run her tidal volume increases.
Explain the effects an increased tidal volume would have on Shelly’s cross country
performance. (4)
More CO2 leaves the body (1) and more oxygen is taken in (1). These maintain the intensity/speed of her running (1) and delay fatigue (4).
State what is meant by an increase in breathing rate. (1)
An increase in the number of times you breathe per minute (1)
Increased breathing rate is one response of the respiratory system when starting exercise.
State one other response of the respiratory system when starting exercise.
Increased tidal volume (1)
Asthma is a condition that affects the respiratory system.
Explain one way in which asthma affects breathing.
Asthma causes an increase in breathing rate (1) because bands of tissue around the airways constricts (1) causing wheezing/shortness of breath/restricts airflow (1)
