Question

How much does an average man breathe per day?
A. 22000 times
B. 23000 times
C. 24000 times
D. 27000 times

Answer 1

Hint: The process of moving air into and out of the lungs to facilitate gas exchange with the internal environment by bringing in oxygen and flushing out carbon dioxide is called breathing. The pressure difference created inside the lungs due to the contraction and relaxation of muscles drives this process.

Complete Answer:
Respiration rate is the number of breaths taken per minute while at rest. On average, a healthy adult takes 12-18 breaths per minute. To calculate the average breaths per day, we take the average respiration rate as 15-16 cycles. The number of breaths taken in a day is-
For 15 cycles,
$15\times 60=900$ (As 1 hour = 60 minutes)
$900\times 24=21,600$

For 16 cycles,
$16\times 60=960$ (As 1 hour = 60 minutes)
$960\times 24=23,040$
Thus, the average breaths range from 21,600 to 23,040 per day.

Let us analyze the options to find the correct answer.
Option A: 22000 times lies exactly in the middle of our range, thus this looks like the most appropriate answer.

Thus, the correct option is A. 22000 times.

Additional information: Breathing involves two main processes- Inspiration and Expiration. During these two processes, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles of ribs contract/ relax and move downwards/ upwards leading to a change in the volume of the thoracic cavity which creates a pressure difference.

Note: Respiratory rate is an important part of our vital signs. Many factors like age, gender, size, exercise, activity, etc. affect it. A below-normal respiratory rate could indicate a central nervous dysfunction while an above normal respiratory rate could lead to various conditions like Hyperventilation, Acidosis, Asthma, Infection, and various other heart and lung conditions.