Lung Volume Measurement Biology Lab. My hypothesis is that the breathing rate and tidal volume increases after exercise.

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Data Collection

Table 1: Lung Volume Measurements

Table 2: Tidal Volume and Breathing Rate of Rest and After Exercise

Lung Volume Measurement

Lab

Purpose

  1. To measure one’s lung volumes including tidal volume, vital capacity, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume.
  2. To measure one’s tidal volume and breathing rate at rest and after exercise and to compare the results.

Hypothesis

My hypothesis is that the breathing rate and tidal volume increases after exercise.

Materials

  1. Spirometer or lung volume measurement bags
  2. Stopwatch or clock
  3. Disposable mouthpiece

Method

  1. Read the method and prepare your observation tables ahead of time.
  2. Make sure the black zero indicator is properly positioned on your spirometer’s scale at zero.
  3. Put your mouthpiece into the hose opening of the spirometer.
  4. Inhale normally. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and exhale normally. Measure the volume and record as your tidal volume. Repeat this step 2 more times. Calculate the average tidal volume and record.
  5. Inhale as deeply as possible, put the mouthpiece in your mouth and exhale as much air as possible. Measure the volume and record as your vital capacity. Repeat this step 2 more times. Calculate your average vital capacity and record.
  6. Exhale normally, place the mouthpiece in your mouth and then exhale as much as you can. Measure the volume and record as your expiratory reserve volume. Repeat another 2 times. Calculate your average expiratory reserve volume and record.
  7. Inhale as deeply as possible, put the mouthpiece in your mouth and exhale normally. Measure the volume and subtract your tidal volume and record as your inspiratory reserve volume. Repeat another 2 times. Calculate your average inspiratory reserve volume and record.
  8. Relax and breathe normally. Have your partner count the number of breaths you take in one minute at rest. Record.
  9. Perform the step test on the stairs for 3 minutes at level 4 on the CD.  Have your partner count the number of breathes you take in one minute after exercise. Record.
  10. Perform the step test on the stairs for 3 minutes at level 4 on the CD. Return to the spirometer as fast as possible. Inhale normally. Put the mouthpiece in your mouthpiece and exhale normally. Measure the volume and record this as your tidal volume after exercise.
  11. Record your tidal volume at rest from step 4 above
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Conclusion

My lung volume is 3.9L, vital capacity is 2.9L, tidal volume is 0.5L, inspiratory reserve volume is 1.5L and expiratory reserve volume is 0.9L. The hypothesis that the breathing rate and tidal volume increases after exercise is correct. The average vital capacity of males is 5.0L, females is 3.4L. This difference lies in the physiology of both genders; males have broader shoulders compared with females, which gives rise to larger lungs and hence, bigger vital capacities. Several factors that decrease one’s lung volume or vital capacity include respiratory illnesses like asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and the ...

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