A. ACTIVITY
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)
- Initiation of exercise
during the start of exercise, the increase in respiratory rate is due to the sent excitatory impulses by our proprioceptors; the sensory and motor impulses; and the anticipation of the activity also stimulates the limbic system – the accumulation of these activities leads to the body’s increase in respiratory rate. - Moderate exercise
during moderate exercise, our body uses up more oxygen and releases more carbon dioxide in response to our muscles’ contraction and this extra demand, our body has an increase in respiratory rate or depth. - Abrupt ascent into high altitudes
ascent to high altitudes also means a decrease in readily available oxygen in the atmosphere, in response to this we hyperventilate with the hopes of providing adequate oxygen supply. - Paralysis of phrenic nerve
the phrenic nerve is the only nerve in our nervous system that provide motor function for our diaphragm, hence when it is paralyzed problems may occur in inhalation/exhalation hence we have respiratory difficulties – mainly diaphragmatic paralysis or dysfunction. - Severe anemia
as a result of anemia, our body’s blood has a decreased capacity of carrying oxygen for our bodily functions, in response to this our body may hyperventilate or have an increased rate or depth of breathing to compensate for the lack of oxygen. - Advanced pregnancy
due to the pregnancy a lot of bodily changes may occur in a mother, this includes: hormonal changes, the diaphragm being pushed upwards, increase in oxygen use for the baby’s needs, increased body weight, metabolic changes, decrease in amount of air lungs can take in and increase of the amount of air breathed in and out. As a result of these changes, a mother may experience difficulties in breathing and/or an increased respiratory rate/depth.