Based on the questions below write up a discussion section analyzing the data collected during and provided for the respiratory lab. Don’t just answer the questions in list format, instead write in prose (paragraph format), much like you’d see in a primary journal article. The questions are there to guide your work, but are not necessarily all encompassing. Please limit your response to 2-3 double-spaced pages, which is enough to allow you to cover all points below using concise wording. You will need to utilize primary, peer reviewed journal articles in this assignment (need at least 3 primary sources). They will need to be cited appropriately and consistently, and a works cited page will need to be included. *Please use primary sources within the last 10 years.
Interpret and explain Exercise 1 data based on your breath-hold findings and the gas composition data. As you write, consider the following:
Does the alveolar end-tidal PCO2 represent the arterial PCO2?
How is ventilation controlled? Does arterial gas composition affect respiration? What specifically controls respiration in this experiment?
Notice that the after-breath-hold alveolar PCO2 was lower for Part C compared to the values of Part A and Part B. Relate this data to the breath-hold durations. What could explain the data in Part C?
*Utilize the data you collected and rely on your figures to support the answers to these questions. If your results indicate something different than you expected, explain that difference.
Interpret and explain the data from Exercise 2. Keep in mind that in each breath-hold followed a period of normal breathing. As you write, consider the following:
Predict the alveolar PCO2 prior to breath-hold for each lung volume. Would they differ (explain)?
Do your data indicate how lung volume may influence respiration? What is this reflexive response called?
*Utilize the data you collected and rely on your figures to support the answers to these questions. If your results indicate something different than you expected, explain that difference.
Helpful info:
Give an in-depth overview of the physiological mechanisms behind the experiment – relate each section of data to this overview
Don’t spend several paragraphs just talking about physiology without describing how it helps you to interpret your data or how it is relevant. Everything should relate back to the data.
Analyze and interpret results – tie them back to the physiological mechanisms discussed. Demonstrate an understanding of the results. Why did you get the result you did?
Use the discussion questions at the end of each lab to help prompt your writing – not required to include all of them!
Discuss how results do (or do not) support your hypotheses
Do not change or falsify your data, even if it is not what you expected
Compare results with published literature data. Do results agree or disagree with previous findings? Remember to cite all references!
Discuss any experimental error. There is always some “background” error or noise that you can assess, even if you think you made no mistakes!!
Finish the discussion with a concluding paragraph, & address the importance or physiological significance of the experiment/topic. How does this contribute to our understanding of the topic in a broader sense?
Be concise and conscientious in your wording. No need to add flourish or pizazz, keep it all straightforward.
My hypothesis is that there will be a change in breath-hold between the different breathing conditions.
