Final answer:
According to Boyle's Law, when the volume of the lungs decreases during exhalation, alveolar pressure increases, pushing air out. During inhalation, the volume increases and alveolar pressure decreases, allowing air to flow in. Lung elasticity and resistance affect this pressure-volume relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Boyle's Law, the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely related; this means that when the volume decreases, the pressure increases. In the context of the lungs, Boyle's Law explains how the lungs control air pressure during the process of breathing. When the volume of the lungs decreases during exhalation, the alveolar pressure increases to push air out of the lungs. Conversely, during inhalation, the volume of the lungs increases, causing the alveolar pressure to decrease, allowing air to flow into the lungs.
Another important aspect of lung function is their elasticity. A healthy lung is pliable, meaning it can easily expand and contract. If the lungs become stiff due to diseases such as fibrosis or with increased resistance in the lung pathways, their ability to change volume is compromised, affecting the pressure-volume ratio in accordance with Boyle's Law.