UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

College of Medicine
PHYSIOLOGY Laboratory: RESPIRATORY AIR FLOW and VOLUME (SPIROMETRY)

Name: Section: Date:

1. Comment on the Difference between the Experimental and Predicted Values for VC, FRC, TLC in
the Table below. What could cause these differences if any?

2. In Quiet Breathing, muscular effort is used mainly in inspiration, and expiration is largely passive,
due to elastic recoil of the lungs. Can you relate this fact to the pattern of expiratory and
inspiratory flow? HINT: The normal pattern of breathing is efficient in that it requires muscular
effort for only a short time.

3. Explain Why RV cannot be determined by ordinary Spirometry?

4. Comment on the Difference between the Experimental and Predicted Values for FVC, FEV1 and the
FEV1/FVC ratio in the Table below. What could cause these differences if any?

5. In your own words describe the physiological significance of the FEV1/FVC ratio?

6. Where your results for forced breathing consistent across all three trials, why?

7. Based on your data below, what values have been affected by simulated airway obstruction?

8. In your own words explain the Physiological events that occurred during this simulated asthma
attack. HINT: Think about what it felt like and how that would affect your general state of wellbeing
an activity level.

9. Comment on the range of results shown in the table for Exercise #4.

10. What factors do you think can contribute to the differences in pulmonary parameters between
the volunteers?