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28 © Boardworks Ltd 2006
The respiratory system
Amount in Amount in
Gas
inhaled air exhaled air
Oxygen 21% 17%
Carbon dioxide Very small amount 3%
Nitrogen 79% 79%
Water vapour Small amount Large amount
Remember:
Minute volume is the volume of air
you breathe in one minute.
You can calculate a person’s minute volume by multiplying
the volume of air they breathe in one breath, by their
respiratory (breathing) rate.
Question
If you breathe 14 times in one minute (respiratory rate)
and you breathe 0.5 litres in each breath, what is your
minute volume?
Answer:
Minute volume = 14 × 0.5 litres
= 7.0 litres
13 of 28 © Boardworks Ltd 2006
Breathing during exercise
Key Terms
Glycogen: the main form of carbohydrate storage, which is
converted into glucose as needed by the body to satisfy its
energy needs
Lactic Acid: a mild poison and waste product of anaerobic
respiration
Gaseous Exchange: the process where oxygen is taken in
from the air and exchanged for carbon dioxide.