Final answer:
The claim that the average respiratory rate at rest is 12-20 breaths/minute is FALSE; the correct average is 12-15 breaths/minute for adults. Respiratory rate varies with age and is regulated by the brain's respiratory center, but it can also indicate disease when abnormal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that at rest, the average respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths/minute is FALSE. Under non-exertion conditions, the typical respiratory rate for adults is 12-15 breaths/minute. The respiratory rate is crucial for alveolar ventilation, which ensures a balance between the intake of oxygen and the expulsion of carbon dioxide. During adolescence, the normal respiratory rate is around 12 to 18 breaths per minute, aligning with adult respiratory rates.
The respiratory rate can fluctuate with age, exercise, and health conditions. A child under 1 year old has a respiratory rate between 30 and 60 breaths per minute, decreasing to 18 to 30 breaths by approximately 10 years old. In adults, the respiratory center in the brain tightly regulates the respiratory rate. Breathing is an involuntary action but can be consciously controlled in certain situations. An abnormal respiratory rate can be a sign of illness or disease