7/26/2019 Alveolar ventilation

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Efects o rate o alveolar ventilation on alveolar gas composition,

saturation o haemoglobin and length o breath-holding in the

respiratory system

The respiratory system is responsible for the intake of oxygen (O2) and expulsion

of carbon dioxide (CO2), a process known as pulmonary ventilation !nother

function of the respiratory system is alveolar ventilation " which occurs when gas

is exchanged between the alveoli and external environment !lveolar ventilation

can be calculated by multiplying the respiratory fre#uency (f) by tidal volume

(vT), so it is proportional to changes in respiratory rate The aim of the

experiment was to examine the e$ects of alveolar ventilation on alveolar gas

composition % partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and partial pressure of carbon

dioxide (pCO2) % saturation of haemoglobin and length of breath%holding The null

hypothesis stated that changes in alveolar ventilation had no impact on gas

composition, due to rapid di$usion of O2and CO2causing partial pressure to

remain constant The alternative hypothesis " hyperventilation increasing the

length of breath%holding and haemoglobin saturation This is because an increasein CO2being exhaled, reducing CO2levels in blood thus reducing the need to take

breaths, and an increase in O2levels in blood, increasing saturation in

haemoglobin