Name:Yew Wing Yee July 12B

Introduction
A spirometer is an apparatus for measuring the volume of air inspired and expired by the
lungs. It is a precision differential pressure transducer for the measurements of respiration
flow rates. The spirometer records the amount of air and the rate of air that is breathed in
and out over a specified period. A Tank-type spirometer works on the same principle as the
gas meter. A canister of soda is usually attached to absorb carbon dioxide and a kymograph
trace is produced to record changes in total volume gas. From this, vital capacity, tidal
volume, breathing rate and ventilation rate (=tidal volume x breathing rate) can be
calculated. From the overall decline on the graph, the oxygen uptake can also be measured.
Results
Subject

Tidal Volume

Vital Capacity

Breathing Rate

Mahdi
Shing Yee
Sang Hyeong
Tiing Yun
Grace

630
320
430
350
190

2070
1365
1590
1680
660

12
15
9
14
15

Minute
Ventilation
7560
4730
3870
4900
2850

Amirs breathing rate

Before exercise:38/min
After exercise:40/min

Discussion
Some errors in the experiment will cause the result to be less accurate. The leakage of air
around the edge of the mouthpiece might have also caused the exhaled air to escape to the
surrounding instead of entering the spirometer. Hence, the subject should set the mouth
carefully and tightly between his lips so as to avoid any leakage of air. The difference in way
of breathing out when taking measurements of components of lung volume using the
spirometer could also affect the accuracy of the experiment. Exhalation with too little force
will not be enough to activate the spirometer mechanism, causing a lower reading while too
much force may affect the accuracy of readings as well. Thus, it is always better to perform
moderate force during the experiment.
Comparing results of other subjects, there will be a significant variation in them. The
measurements of TC and ERV are repeated after exercising so as to investigate the lung

capacity at rest and after physical exercise. Though having said that, the frequency of
exercise is not the only factor affecting the lung capacity of an individual. Other factors
include age, body size, health condition, gender, environment, genetics and others. That is
why the values will show slight variation as the other factors are not kept constant except
the age. One of the limitations in this experiment is the genetics of the subject which is a
factor which cannot be controlled. Genetics affect the lung capacity of an individual. Before
conducting the experiment, the information on the genetic make-up of each individual is
unknown. This leads to variation in the results obtained by different individuals as different
subjects.
Questions
2.Rate of oxygen consumption(Grace)=minute ventilation/60 seconds
=2850/60=47.5 ml
3 .The breathing rate is higher. This results can be explained using some biological principles.
The level of carbon dioxide in blood plays the most important role in controlling out
breathing rate. In the course of an exercise, the impulses from the cortex of the brain which
consciously recognizes movement stimulates the respiratory centre in medulla oblongata.
Then, respiratory muscles are stimulated and the rate and depth of ventilation are also
increased. The demand for oxygen by working muscles increases and more carbon dioxide is
produced and transported in the blood. A fall in pH level is then detected by
chemoreceptors which in turn, send impulses to the inspiratory centre. Finally, the
inspiratory centre sends nerve impulses to the intercostal muscles and diaphragm, causing
an increase in their contraction rates, making them contract harder and more frequently
resulting higher breathing rate.
4.Breathing rate is the number of breaths taken in one minute.The breathing rate of the
subject at rest was taken before exercise.A form of exercise, running along the corridor for
10 minutes was then carried out by the subject.Graphs are produced by the respirometer
and the two breathing rates are compared.No hazard involve in this exercise.