Chris Long, a former defensive end for the University of Virginia, is a big person with a functional residual capacity of 3 L, a vital capacity of 6 L and an expiratory reserve volum e of 1 L. What is his inspiratory capacity?
A) 10 L
B) 5 L
C) 3 L
D) 4 L
E) 8 L

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Inspiratory capacity (IC) is calculated by adding the tidal volume (TV) and the inspiratory reserve volume (IRV). Given that the vital capacity (VC) is 6 L and is the sum of TV, IRV, and expiratory reserve volume (ERV), which is 1 L, we can find the IC if we know the functional residual capacity (FRC) is 3 L. FRC is the sum of ERV and residual volume (RV), so VC = TV + IRV + ERV. Since FRC = ERV + RV, and we know VC and ERV, we can deduce that IC = VC - ERV = 6 L - 1 L = 5 L.

Chris Long, a Former Defensive End for the University of Virginia