Which ventilates alveoli more effectively: slow,deep breaths or rapid,shallow breaths? Explain why.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Slow, deep breaths are more effective in ventilating alveoli because a smaller amount of the tidal volume of each breath is spent moving air into and out of the anatomic dead space. In other words, more air reaches the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs, with slow, deep breaths. Rapid, shallow breaths use a larger amount of the tidal volume to move air in and out of the anatomic dead space, making them less effective in ventilating alveoli.

Which Ventilates Alveoli More Effectively: Slow,deep Breaths or Rapid,shallow Breaths