Final answer:
Respiration rate is more rapid in infant than at any other age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The respiration rate is an important indicator of physiological activity, and it varies across different age groups. For the question at hand, the respiration rate is more rapid in infants than at any other age. Infants under 1 year of age have a respiratory rate between 30 and 60 breaths per minute, which is significantly higher than at any other stage of life. As children grow, the respiratory rate steadily declines. By approximately 10 years old, the rate slows down to about 18 to 30 breaths per minute, and reaching adolescence, it further slows to adult levels of about 12 to 18 breaths per minute.
This decrease in respiratory rate from infancy to adolescence is a result of several factors, including the growth and maturation of the respiratory system. The lungs and airways develop substantially during this period, accompanied by the production of pulmonary surfactants which are crucial for lung function. With growth, the body systems, including the respiratory system, become more efficient, leading to the stabilization of the respiratory rate at adult levels. These changes underscore the dynamic nature of human physiology and the adaptability of our respiratory system from birth through to adulthood.