Class 11 · Breathing and Exchange of Gases

Vital Capacity and Lung Volumes — NEET Biology

✅ Asked in NEET 2023
✅ NEET 2023 PYQ · Asked 2 times

Vital capacity of lungs is: NEET 2023

Q1 of 2NEET 2023

Vital capacity of lungs is: NEET 2023

Q2 of 2NEET 2022

Which statements are correct for vital capacity? I. It includes ERV, TV and IRV II. Total volume of air inspired after normal expiration III. Maximum volume of air breathed in after forced expiration IV. Includes ERV, RV and IRV V. Maximum volume of air exhaled after forced inspiration (NEET Re-2022)

Answer & NCERT explanation

Correct answer: C IRV + ERV + TV

Vital Capacity is the maximum volume of air that can be moved in and out of lungs. It includes Inspiratory Reserve Volume + Expiratory Reserve Volume + Tidal Volume (IRV + ERV + TV). Residual Volume is NOT included because it cannot be expelled from lungs. Option c is correct as VC = IRV + ERV + TV.

Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ

📖 NCERT Source

Vital Capacity (VC): The maximum volume of air a person can breathe in after a forced expiration. This includes ERV, TV and IRV or the maximum volume of air a person can breathe out after a forced inspiration.

NCERT Biology · Class 11 · Chapter 14 · Paragraph 24
How NTA Uses This Concept

Vital Capacity (VC) is the maximum air volume that can be breathed in or out, calculated as IRV + TV + ERV. NTA tests whether students can identify which lung volumes compose VC and understand it excludes Residual Volume (RV). Students commonly mistake VC as including RV, or confuse it with Total Lung Capacity (TLC = VC + RV). The key to solving NEET questions: remember VC = IRV + TV + ERV only, and RV is always separate because it cannot be exhaled. This distinction between VC and TLC has appeared multiple times and remains a high-probability topic.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does NCERT say about Vital Capacity VC maximum?
Vital Capacity (VC): The maximum volume of air a person can breathe in after a forced expiration. This includes ERV, TV and IRV or the maximum volume of air a person can breathe out after a forced inspiration.
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Yes — appeared in NEET 2023, 2022. Defines Vital Capacity as including ERV, TV and IRV (= IRV + ERV + TV)
Which chapter is this from?
Breathing and Exchange of Gases, Class 11 NCERT Biology.

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