What changes occur in the respiratory system during intense exercise?

During intense exercise, the body has an increased demand for oxygen to support higher levels of physical activity and energy expenditure. As a result, the respiratory system adapts by enhancing both the breathing rate and tidal volume to facilitate greater oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide removal.

Increased breathing rate refers to the number of breaths taken per minute, which rises to ensure that more air, and consequently more oxygen, enters the lungs. Tidal volume, on the other hand, is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled in a single breath. During intense exercise, both the depth of each breath (tidal volume) and the frequency of breaths (breathing rate) increase. This combined effort allows for more efficient gas exchange in the lungs, meeting the heightened metabolic needs of the muscles during high-intensity activities.

This physiological response is essential for maintaining appropriate oxygen levels in the blood while also facilitating the removal of carbon dioxide produced during aerobic metabolism. Hence, the correct response highlights these critical adaptations of the respiratory system that occur during periods of strenuous exercise.