Activity 11.2: Measuring Respiratory Volumes
In this activity, you will measure your own respiratory volumes using advice
called a spirometer.
Safety Precautions:
- If you suffer from any respiratory problems, inform your teacher. He
or she will decide whether you should perform this activity.
- Do not inhale or exhale to the point where you feel faint.
Materials:
Swimmer’s nose plug (optional)
spirometer with disposable
mouthpiece
Procedures:
1. Set the spirometer gauge to zero and insert a clean mouthpiece. If you
are using a nose plug, put it on.
2. Begin by taking a few relaxed breaths. Then inhale normally, put the
mouthpiece into your mouth, and exhale normally into the spirometer.
Recorded the value as your tidal volume.
3. Reset the spirometer to zero, inhale and exhale normally. At the end
of the normal exhalation, put the mouth piece into your mouth and
exhale as fully as you can all in one breath. Record this value as your
expiratory reserve volume.
4. Reset the spirometer to zero. Inhale as deeply as you can, and then
exhale normally into the spirometer without forcing the exhalation.
Record this value as your inspiratory capacity.
5. Calculate your inspiratory reserve volume by substracting your tidal
volume from your inspiratory capacity. Record your inspiratory
reserve volume.
6. Calculate your vital capacity by adding your inspiratory reserve
volume , expiratory reserve voume, and tidal volume. Record the
value as your calculated vital capacity.
7. Reset the spirometer. Inhale as deeply as you can, and then exhale
deeply into the spirometer, forcing out as much air as you can. Do this
all in one breath. Record the value as your recorded vital capacity.
Discussion Questions:
1. Compare your calculated vital capacity with your recorded vital
capacity. Explain any difference.
2. Compare your inspiratory reserve volume to your expiratory reserve
volume. Explain any difference.
3. Compare your respiratory volumes with those of other students by
creating a class data table. How much variation do you see? Are these
patterns in this variation, such as differences between males and
females, or differences based on height, body size, or age? What
factors could contribute to differences in respiratory volumes? If time
permits, design an investigation to test the effects to two of these
factors.
4. How might athletes use information about their vital capacity? Predict
how respiratory volumes relate to athletic performance.
Application:
1.
The following readings were taken from a patient on a respirometer
(figure 1). Inhalations are indicated by the line moving upward.
Exhalations are indicated by the line dropping. Determine what each
numbered section of the graph represents. (6 App)
Figure 1.
2. How might the graph look different for someone with respiratory
illness? For a professional athlete? (2 App., 1 Com.)
3. Why might respiratory volumes be measured during exercise? (2 App., 1
Com.)
Lab Evaluation
Measuring Lung Capacity
Name:
Date:
Lab Format
(Communication)
Duo Tang
Title Page
Introduction
0
0
0
Conclusion
Observations
1
1
1
0
1
/11 marks
Purpose
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedures
2
3
4
0
0
0
0
(Inquiry Skills)
1
1
1
1
/16 marks
Lung Volume Data
Personal
0
1
2
3
4
Class Data
Calculations
0
1
2
3
4
Graphing Data
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
(4 inquiry for Data, 1 for male/female, 1 title and 2 labels of axis)
Analysis: Inq. Skills
/7 marks
Communication
1. Total volumes / what does it resemble?
2. Comparison of Vital Capacity Male/Female
3. Factors that might affect today’s outcome.
4. Factors that may an effect on Lung Capacity.
Application
/10 marks
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
Communication
1. Label graph
0
1
2
2. Differences for an ill person and athlete
3. Changes during exercise.
3
0
0
Totals: Com.
App. /10
/17
/4 marks
Inq. Skills /23
4
1
1
2
2
2
1 C.
1 C.
1 C.
1 C.
/2 marks
5
2
2
6
1C.
1C.
/50 marks