Name:________________________________        Date:________        Hr:______

Making a model of your Lungs and Diaphragm 

Purpose:

Students will build a model of the lungs and diaphragm to understand how you inhale and exhale.

Materials:

• Small balloon (10”)
• Large balloon (12”)
• Rubber band or tape
• Clear plastic water bottle
• Scissors

Procedure:

1. Cut off the bottom of the water bottle with the scissors. (The flat end that sits on the table, not the end you would drink out of.)
2. Take the small balloon and push it through the neck of the water bottle.
3. Take the end of the balloon and secure it around the neck of the water bottle. (The part you drink out of.) You can use a rubber band or tape to make sure it is secure.
4. You should now be able to blow into the balloon, and the balloon will expand inside of the water bottle.
5. Take the large balloon and cut the neck off of it.
6. Stretch the large balloon out a few times.
7. Place the large balloon over the open end of the water bottle and secure it on with rubber band, or tape. (This should be over the end that you cut.)
8. You now have a working model of your lungs and diaphragm.
9. Push and pull the large balloon (be careful so that it does not come off of the water bottle).

Questions:

1. What does the small balloon represent?
2. What does the large balloon represent?
3. What does the water bottle represent?
4. Describe what happens when you push and pull the large balloon. (What happens to the small balloon?)

5. Describe how you inhale and exhale based on this model.