Lungs do not collapse between breaths and some air always remains in the lungs which can never be expelled because
- there is a negative pressure in the lungs
- there is a negative intrapleural pressure pulling at the lung walls
- there is a positive intrapleural pressure
- pressure in the lungs is higher than the atmospheric pressure.
Answer
(2) there is a negative intrapleural pressure pulling at the lung walls
Solution
The lungs are enclosed in the pleural cavity; the pressure in the pleural fluid (intrapleural pressure) is always lower than the atmospheric and intrapulmonary pressure, i.e., negative.
⇒ This negative intrapleural pressure keeps pulling the lung walls outward, so the alveoli do not collapse even after forceful expiration.
∴ Some air (residual volume) always remains in the lungs.
Answer: (2)