# 22.3 The process of breathing

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By the end of this section, you will be able to:
• Describe the mechanisms that drive breathing
• Discuss how pressure, volume, and resistance are related
• List the steps involved in pulmonary ventilation
• Discuss the physical factors related to breathing
• Discuss the meaning of respiratory volume and capacities
• Define respiratory rate
• Outline the mechanisms behind the control of breathing
• Describe the respiratory centers of the medulla oblongata
• Describe the respiratory centers of the pons
• Discuss factors that can influence the respiratory rate

Pulmonary ventilation is the act of breathing, which can be described as the movement of air into and out of the lungs. The major mechanisms that drive pulmonary ventilation are atmospheric pressure ( P atm ); the air pressure within the alveoli, called alveolar pressure ( P alv ); and the pressure within the pleural cavity, called intrapleural pressure ( P ip ).

## Mechanisms of breathing

The alveolar and intrapleural pressures are dependent on certain physical features of the lung. However, the ability to breathe—to have air enter the lungs during inspiration and air leave the lungs during expiration—is dependent on the air pressure of the atmosphere and the air pressure within the lungs.

## Pressure relationships

Inspiration (or inhalation) and expiration (or exhalation) are dependent on the differences in pressure between the atmosphere and the lungs. In a gas, pressure is a force created by the movement of gas molecules that are confined. For example, a certain number of gas molecules in a two-liter container has more room than the same number of gas molecules in a one-liter container ( [link] ). In this case, the force exerted by the movement of the gas molecules against the walls of the two-liter container is lower than the force exerted by the gas molecules in the one-liter container. Therefore, the pressure is lower in the two-liter container and higher in the one-liter container. At a constant temperature, changing the volume occupied by the gas changes the pressure, as does changing the number of gas molecules. Boyle’s law    describes the relationship between volume and pressure in a gas at a constant temperature. Boyle discovered that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume: If volume increases, pressure decreases. Likewise, if volume decreases, pressure increases. Pressure and volume are inversely related ( P = k/ V ). Therefore, the pressure in the one-liter container (one-half the volume of the two-liter container) would be twice the pressure in the two-liter container. Boyle’s law is expressed by the following formula:

${P}_{1}{V}_{1}={P}_{2}{V}_{2}$

In this formula, P 1 represents the initial pressure and V 1 represents the initial volume, whereas the final pressure and volume are represented by P 2 and V 2, respectively. If the two- and one-liter containers were connected by a tube and the volume of one of the containers were changed, then the gases would move from higher pressure (lower volume) to lower pressure (higher volume).

what is meant by control center?
what is anatomy
is the study of the structure of the body and their relationship to each refers to the shapes iyo sizes
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In biology, a blastomere is a type of cell produced by cleavage (cell division) of the zygote after fertilization and is an essential part of blastula formation.
what is cell
Shivaani
Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. The human body is composed of trillions of cells. They provide structure for the body, take in nutrients from food, convert those nutrients into energy, and carry out specialized functions. ... Cells have many parts, each with a different
function
cell is a membrane bound unit that contains the fundamentals molecules of life
Sushma
A1
excellent
movement,reproduction, excretion, respiration ,growth ,nutrition, response to external stimuli.
Sushma
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Maryam
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Maryam
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Maryam
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question kari
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Ziya
Which muscle of the gluteal region originates from lumber spine? a. Gluteus medius b. Psoas major c. Iliacus d. Gluteus maximus
Maryam
sweet sister's
question tu kari Inshallah Allah behtar kariga
to mcqs kia to hy
Maryam
Maryam
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what is the functional unit of kidneys
nephron is the functional unit of kidney
Maryam
Maryam Riaz sister option. d. gluteus maximus
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Maryam
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option b. psoas major
nephron is the functional unit of kidney
Ihsan
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Ihsan
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Ihsan
what is cell
Shilpa
cell is the smallest unit of life
Maryam
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Shilpa
Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. The human body is composed of trillions of cells. They provide structure for the body, take in nutrients from food, convert those nutrients into energy, and carry out specialized functions. ... Cells have many parts, each with a different
function
Maryam Riaz sister I m clear option d. also right thank you ihan bro
type structure function origin insertion action of muscles
oxygn amount in our body
A normal level of oxygen is usually 95% or higher. Some people with chronic lung disease or sleep apnea can have normal levels around 90%. The “SpO2” reading on a pulse oximeter shows the percentage of oxygen in someone's blood
What is the difference between cytoplasmic and endoplasmic
The cytoplasm is 90℅ water and 10℅ of organic and inorganic compounds. The cytoplasm contains mitochondria. ... Lysosomes of Cytoplasm contains 50 different enzymes that digest proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The endoplasmic reticulum produces process and transport proteins, lipids for all the
tarsal are cube shaped broad and long whiles metatarsal they are longer than they are wide
articular cartilage serve as shock absorber and also reduces friction
Priscilla
articular cartilage serve as shock absorber and also reduces friction
Priscilla
when a bone joint with another bone
Priscilla
to know how you body function to know the relationship between the body parts to know specific functions of a certain body parts
To know our body function we shd know chemical secretion of our glands, we can map all the function of our body and also relation ship between the body parts.
KUSUMA
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kanaku
can you get fungi infection by seating on a public toilet?
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how does blood act as a connective tissue in the body
Rymz
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Explain how body exercise regulates blood pressure
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Thelma
what is cillia and flangella
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