Tag Archives: Thoracic cavity

ANATOMY AND MECHANICS OF RESPIRATION-TUTORIAL

The Respiratory System is Designed to Bring in Oxygen and Remove Carbon Dioxide

  • A person with an average ventilation rate of 7.5 L/min will breathe in and out 10,800 liters of gas each day
  • From this gas the person will take in about 420 liters of oxygen (19 moles/day) and will give out about 340 liters of carbon dioxide (15 moles/day)
  • The ratio of CO2 expired/O2 inspired is called the respiratory quotient (RQ)
    • RQ = CO2 out/O2 in = 340/420 = 0.81
    • In cellular respiration of glucose CO2 out = O2 in; RQ = 1