Final answer:
The term that refers to the total number of breaths per minute is the respiratory rate. An average adult's respiratory rate at rest is typically 12-15 breaths per minute, and this rate can indicate health status as it varies with the body's oxygen needs or in response to illness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term defined as the total number of breaths per minute is known as the respiratory rate. Typically, an average adult at rest has a respiratory rate of about 12-15 breaths per minute. This rate can be a crucial indicator of health, as it may fluctuate in response to disease or illness. For example, the respiratory rate tends to increase or decrease when a person is sick, as the body requires more oxygen or is trying to rid itself of excess carbon dioxide.
The respiratory rate plays a significant role in alveolar ventilation, which is the process that moves air in and out of the alveoli to prevent the buildup of carbon dioxide. Effective alveolar ventilation can be maintained either by increasing the respiratory rate and having shallower breaths or by decreasing the rate but taking deeper breaths. In both scenarios, the overall air exchange remains constant, albeit with different physiological effects on the body.
Furthermore, the respiratory rate is regulated by the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata, which monitors carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pH levels in the blood to adjust breathing as needed. These automatic adjustments ensure that cells receive enough oxygen for metabolic reactions and help maintain healthy levels of CO2.