Breathing and Exchange of Gases

| 253



During forceful expiration, abdominal muscles and internal inter-costal

muscles contract..

- Respiratory cycle= an inspiration + an expiration

- Normal respiratory (breathing) rate: 12-16 times/min

- Spirometer (respirometer): To measure respiratory rate.

RËSPÏRÅTØRÝ VØLÜMËS ÅÑD ÇÅPÅÇÏTÏËS



Tidal volume (TV) : Volume of air inspired or expired during a normal

respiration. It is about 500 ml, i.e., 6000-8000 ml per minute.



Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) or complemental air : Additional

volume of air that a person can inspire by forceful inspiration. It is 2500-

3000 ml.



Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) or supplemental air : Additional volume

of air that a person can expire by a forceful expiration. It is 1000-1100 ml.



Residual volume (RV): Volume of air remaining in lungs after a forcible

expiration. It is 1100-1200 ml. [NEET 2017]



Inspiratory capacity (IC) : Total volume of air inspired after a normal

expiration (TV + IRV). It is 3000-3500 ml.



Expiratory capacity (EC) : Total volume of air expired after a normal

inspiration (TV + ERV). It is 1500-1600 ml. [NEET 2019]



Functional residual capacity (FRC) : Volume of air remaining in the

lungs after a normal expiration (ERV + RV). It is 2100-2300 ml.



Vital capacity (VC) : Maximum volume of air that a person can breathe

in after a forced expiration or maximum volume of air that a person can

breathe out after a forced inspiration (ERV + TV + IRV). It is 4000-4600 ml.

[AIPMT 2009]



Total lung capacity (TLC) : Total volume of air in the lungs after the end

of a forced inspiration. (RV + ERV + TV + IRV or VC + RV). It is 5000-6000 ml.



Part of respiratory tract (from nostrils to terminal bronchi) not involved

in gaseous exchange is called dead space. Dead air volume is about

150 ml.

GÅS ËXÇHÅÑGË

Gas exchange occurs between:

Alveoli and blood

Blood and tissues

Alveoli are the primary sites of gas exchange. O2 & CO2 are exchanged by

simple diffusion. It depends upon the following factors: