ASBiologyAQARevision NotesExchange & TransportHuman Gas ExchangePVR

PVR (AQA AS Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 7401

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham

Updated on

Maths Skill: PVR

  • The volume of air breathed by an individual over a minute is known as the pulmonary ventilation rate (PVR); it is determined by:

    • breathing rate: the number of breaths per minute

    • tidal volume: volume of air breathed in per normal breath

  • PVR can be calculated as follows:

PVR = tidal volume x breathing rate

Worked Example

An individual's pulmonary ventilation rate at rest was found to be 7.4 dm3 min-1. They took 12 breaths in one minute.

Calculate the individual's tidal volume.

Step one: rearrange the equation

  • PVR = tidal volume x breathing rate

  • Rearrange to:

tidal volume = PVR ÷ breathing rate

Step two: insert relevant values into equation

tidal volume = 7.4 ÷ 12

= 0.6166

tidal volume = 0.62 dm3

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Author
Reviewer
Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Lucy Kirkham

Reviewer: Lucy Kirkham

Expertise: Head of STEM

Lucy has been a passionate Maths teacher for over 12 years, teaching maths across the UK and abroad helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels.Working as a Head of Department and then Director of Maths, Lucy has advised schools and academy trusts in both Scotland and the East Midlands, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Maths teaching for all.

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