Explaining the Link Between Physical Activity & Breathing (Cambridge International IGCSE Biology)

Explaining the link between physical activity & breathing: Extended

Spec point — 11.1.10 · Explain the link between physical activity and the rate and depth of breathing in terms of: an increased carbon dioxide concentration in the blood, which is detected by the brain, leading to an increased rate and greater depth of breathing

Extended Tier Only

• Frequency and depth of breathing increase when exercising
• This is because muscles are working harder and respiring aerobically at a faster rate, so they need more oxygen delivered to them (and carbon dioxide removed) to keep up with the increased energy demand
• If they cannot meet the energy demand they will also respire anaerobically, producing lactic acid
• After exercise has finished, the lactic acid that has built up in muscles needs to be removed as it lowers the pH of cells and can denature enzymes catalysing cell reactions
• Lactic acid can only be removed using oxygen — this is known as 'repaying the oxygen debt'
• Oxygen debt can be measured by timing how long it takes for breathing rate and depth to return to normal after exercise - the longer this takes, the more lactic acid was produced during exercise, and the greater the oxygen debt that needs to be repaid

Mechanism for increasing breathing during exercise

• The rate of respiration increases in muscle cells when exercising heavily

• Carbon dioxide is a product of aerobic respiration, so carbon dioxide levels increase in the muscle cells

• This carbon dioxide diffuses out of the cells into the blood plasma

  • Carbon dioxide in solution causes a slight drop in pH so the blood becomes slightly more acidic

• The blood flows around the circulatory system and passes to the brain where the increased carbon dioxide levels are detected by chemoreceptors in the brain

  • Chemoreceptors are cells that detect chemical changes in the body
  • They can detect changes in blood gas levels, as well as changes in pH
  • The chemoreceptors are located in the medulla oblongata of the brain

• The brain sends nerve impulses to the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles to increase the rate and depth of muscle contraction

• The rate of inspiration increases, along with the volume of air moved in and out with each breath

• The result is greater absorption of oxygen and removal rate of carbon dioxide

  • This supports the increased rate of respiration in the exercising muscle cells

Exam Hint Be sure not to confuse the terms respiration and breathing in this topic:

• respiration is a series of chemical reactions that releases energy from food
• breathing is the mechanism for moving air in and out of the lungs; this supports the chemical reactions of respiration