Final answer:
Increased airway resistance during inhalation would likely decrease intrapleural pressure as the body needs to create a greater negative pressure differential to draw air into the lungs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Increased airway resistance would likely decrease intrapleural pressure during inhalation. This is because, as airway resistance increases, it becomes harder to draw air into the lungs, necessitating a greater effort during inspiration. This increased effort can be accomplished by the diaphragm and intercostal muscles pulling harder on the thoracic wall, which further expands the thoracic cavity and creates a more negative pressure in the intrapleural space. Essentially, the lungs need to generate a larger negative pressure differential to overcome the increased resistance and pull air through the airways.