Question

4. Describe what triggers breathing for a healthy person and for a person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

5. When the breathing trigger is activated, it signals the medulla oblongata. Describe the process of inhaling starting with the respiratory center and ending with the expansion of the lungs.

Answer 1

4 It's typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke

5 The medulla oblongata's medullary inspiratory center produces rhythmic nerve impulses that cause the inspiratory muscles to contract (diaphragm and external intercostal muscles). These muscles normally relax during expiration, but with rapid breathing, the inspiratory center stimulates the expiratory muscles to speed up the process (internal intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles).