Answer:
A number of factors can influence the respiration rate, such as:
Age – younger children generally have higher oxygen demands and therefore breath faster
Pain – pain will cause an increase in respiration rate
Emotion – emotion will cause an increase in respiration rate
Resistance from air passages – increased resistance (e.g. in asthma) prevents as much air entering the lungs during each cycle. The demand for oxygen will then increase, increasing the respiration rate.
Fever – fever increases the body’s demand for oxygen, increasing the respiration rate
Elasticity of the lungs – the less elastic the lungs, the less air can enter the lungs each cycle, increasing the respiration rate.
Chemical changes – chemical changes in the body, caused by hypoxia, metabolic disorders or medications / drugs, can cause the respiration rate to increase or decrease, depending on the stimulus