Briefly explain the main cause or mechanism of increase in respiratory rate or depth and/or respiratory difficulties in the following cases: (one to two sentences only)
1. Initiation of exercise
When exercise begins, the body's oxygen demand surges due to increased muscle activity. To meet this demand, the respiratory rate and depth rise, allowing for more efficient oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal.
2. Moderate exercise
Moderate exercise, similar to initiation, heightens the body's need for oxygen to support physical exertion. This prompts an increase in respiratory rate and depth, ensuring that oxygen is delivered to muscles, and carbon dioxide is removed to maintain metabolic processes.
3. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes
An abrupt ascent to high altitudes exposes the body to lower oxygen pressure. In response, respiratory rate and depth increase to compensate for the reduced oxygen availability, enabling the body to meet its oxygen requirements despite the challenging environmental conditions.
4. Paralysis of phrenic nerve
When the phrenic nerve is paralyzed, the diaphragm loses its ability to contract effectively, limiting lung expansion and oxygen intake. As a result, the body elevates respiratory rate and depth to enhance oxygen exchange and maintain adequate oxygen levels.
5. Severe anemia
Severe anemia leads to a reduced capacity of the blood to carry oxygen, necessitating an increase in respiratory rate and depth. This compensatory response ensures that the body can deliver sufficient oxygen to tissues and organs, despite the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
6. Advanced pregnancy
In advanced pregnancy, the growing fetus can compress the diaphragm and limit lung expansion, reducing lung capacity. To address this challenge, the body increases respiratory rate and depth, helping to maintain an adequate oxygen supply for both the mother and the developing fetus.
Reference/s:
Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2017). Principles of ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (15th ed.). Wiley.
Your lungs and exercise. (2016b). Breathe, 12(1), 97–100. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.elf121
Peacock, A. J. (1998). ABC of oxygen: Oxygen at high altitude. BMJ, 317(7165), 1063–1066. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.317.7165.1063
Phrenic Nerve: Anatomy ad Function. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
Badireddy, M. (2023, August 7). Chronic anemia. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534803/
Pascual, Z. N. (2023, May 16). Physiology, pregnancy. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559304/