Measurement of ventilatory changes in response to

changes in gas composition

Introduction
In this module (and in the Year 1 module) we have focussed on how the
cardiorespiratory system delivers O2 to and removes CO2 from every cell
in the body. The O2 is used in oxidative phosphorylation and CO2 is
produced – so both of these are measures of metabolism. We must be
able to link our ability to deliver O2 and remove CO2 to the metabolic rate
in order to maintain homeostatic conditions. For the cardiovascular
system, we can increase cardiac output and for the respiratory system
we can increase minute ventilation. However, we must also be aware
that to get optimal gas exchange between the two parts requires a good
V/Q ratio – all these aspects are covered in the teaching in the module.

Additionally, we must have control mechanisms that allow us to change

our cardiorespiratory function in response to metabolic changes and
these must include some way of knowing whether the blood O2 and CO2
levels are ok. These chemoreceptor responses will also be covered in
the lectures, however, in this practical you will measure the responses to
rebreathing. The effect of this is to increase the level of CO2 you inspire,
which will then increase the arterial level of CO2 and induce a ventilatory
response.

The aims of this session are:

• To record the effects of rebreathing on respiratory variables

• To apply these changes to changes in CO2 levels

• To appreciate the role of feedback control mechanisms

Measurement of ventilatory changes in response to
changes in gas composition

Objectives
• To measure respiratory parameters (tidal volume, respiratory
frequency and minute ventilation) whilst breathing increasing levels
of CO2

• To analyse the data and interpret the results in the context of a

feedback control system

Subject Safety Protocol

1. If at any point you feel unwell then stop.

2. Do not hyperventilate for more than 5 minutes.

3. Do not breathe into the closed system for more than 15 minutes

4. Do not breathe into the closed system if the CO2 levels are greater
than 8%

5. At about 7% CO2 the subject will feel some a bit lightheaded/dizzy

and flushed. This is normal and will disappear once you stop the
protocol and levels fall again.

Note: Please ensure you have completed the consent form on Canvas in
order to be a volunteer in the practical.
Data Collection
For this practical you will be working in groups of 5 due to the number of
experimental set ups. Two volunteers from the group will need to be
subjects and complete the following protocol.

• Split your group so that each member is carrying out one of these
tasks.

1. Subject being recorded

2. Monitoring the subject
3. Reading off CO2 levels and adding to LabChart
4. Overall responsibility for the equipment

• Under the guidance of a member of the group, the subject needs

to hyperventilate for ~5min to reduce the CO2 stores in the body.
This will ensure much better experimental results. This only
requires a slow hyperventilation not a maximal effort.

Note: If the subject does feel unwell from this voluntary hyperventilation, they
can stop at any point.

• Towards the end of the 5min hyperventilation period and with

LabChart recording, zero the spirometer pod to remove baseline
drift. To do this, select the dropdown menu on the Flow channel
and select Spirometer Pod – click the Zero button.

Note: this needs to be done every time before a recording is made and is
exactly the same as you did in the Y1 practical)

• The subject should place the mouthpiece into their mouth and
breathe air normally for 30 sec to get a baseline reading. Another
group member needs to ensure the tap by the mouthpiece is
turned to allow air breathing.

Important: ensure they use a nose clip to ensure all breathing is done
through the mouth.
• Once the baseline breathing has been recorded, the protocol can
commence. On the final breath out before turning the taps, breathe
out below FRC (ie blow out most of the air in your lungs).

• Turn the taps so that the subject is now breathing from the
attached bags. The subject should then continue to breathe as
required.

Note: During the protocol your breathing pattern will change. This is meant to
happen but try not to consciously change your breathing just let it happen
naturally

• Monitor the subject and their breathing over the rebreathing period.
Every 30 sec note the CO2 reading and enter it as a comment onto
LabChart.
• After the CO2 level has reached 8% CO2 , stop LabChart and
remove the spirometer and let the subject relax. Select the
recording and printout the full recording. Use this to complete the
analysis below (this may need to be done outside of the practical
class if time does not permit)

Note: Stop earlier if the subject feels unwell or you have reached the 7.5%
CO2 level as this is sufficient to complete the practical analysis)

• Empty the gas bags and then use the gas cylinders provided to
refill the gas bags. Fill with a similar amount of gas to that used in
the first run of the protocol.

• Swap with another member of the group and repeat the entire
protocol to record their responses.

• Complete the tables for both subjects. Use the data to plot the
graphs and then answer the questions.
Data Analysis
Subject 1
Time (min) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Respiratory XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX
Rate
Tidal Volume

Minute
Ventilation
PCO2

Time (min) 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0

Respiratory XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX
Rate
Tidal Volume

Minute
Ventilation
PCO2

Use the information from the table to plot the CO2 level against the
minute ventilation.

Note: Consider which is the dependent and independent variable in order to plot
correctly.
Subject 2
Time (min) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Respiratory XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX
Rate
Tidal Volume

Minute
Ventilation
PCO2

Time (min) 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0

Respiratory XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX
Rate
Tidal Volume

Minute
Ventilation
PCO2

Use the information from the table to plot the CO2 level against the
minute ventilation.
Note: Consider which is the dependent and independent variable in order to plot
correctly.
Questions

How do you interpret the shape of the graphs you have plotted? Are they exactly the
same for each subject?

Calculate where you think the transition point is between the two parts of the graph.
(Hint: draw straight regression lines for each part independently and see where they
intersect). What do you think this represents?

Calculate the slope of the rising line that you have drawn above. (Hint: think about
the units and variables you are plotting on the graph)
What do you think this represents?