Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ______________________

Lung Model Instructions

1. Peel off the label, if any, on the 2-liter bottle.
2. Cut the bottom off of the 2 liter, taking care to make the edges smooth.
3. The 2-liter bottle represents the human chest cavity.
4. Use clay or tape to hold the two straws in place in the neck of the bottle.
5. Place one 9-inch balloon on the end of each straw, and secure them with rubber bands or
tape.

6. The straws represent the bronchi and the balloons represent the lungs.
7. Stretch out the plastic wrap and place it over the open bottom of the bottle. Secure with a
rubber band.
8. The plastic wrap represents the diaphragm. They now have a finished model of the lungs
(see below); now it's time to make the lungs work!

9. Pull the diaphragm (plastic wrap) down (i.e., away from the lungs) in order to inflate the
lungs. (Note: This makes the chest cavity larger and decreases the pressure.)
10. Push the diaphragm (plastic wrap) in (towards the lungs) in order to deflate the lungs.
(Note: This makes the chest cavity smaller and increases the pressure.)

11. Complete the Lung Worksheet

Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ______________________

Just Breathe Activity – Lung Worksheet

1. Describe what happens when you inhale (when you pull down
on the bottom balloon in your model).
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2. Describe what happens when you exhale (when you push up on the bottom
balloon in your model).

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3. Why do you think some people can inhale more air at one time than others can?

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4. What might happen if you punctured your chest cavity?

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