Learning Objectives
- Define and explain the significance of vital capacity.
- Describe the volume of air remaining in the lungs after normal breathing.
- Explain why diffusion of gases occurs in the alveolar region only.
- Identify and explain the major transport mechanisms for CO₂.
- Compare the partial pressures of pO₂ and pCO₂ in atmospheric air and alveolar air.
- Describe the process of inspiration under normal conditions.
- Explain how respiration is regulated.
- Discuss the effect of pCO₂ on oxygen transport.
- Analyze the respiratory process in response to altitude changes, such as going up a hill.
- Identify the site of gaseous exchange in insects.
- Define the oxygen dissociation curve and discuss reasons for its sigmoidal pattern.
- Distinguish between inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV).
- Compare inspiratory capacity and expiratory capacity.
- Define vital capacity and total lung capacity.
- Define tidal volume and calculate its approximate value for a healthy human in an hour.