Respiratory illnesses range from a mild cold to more serious infections and diseases. For example, bronchitis is an infection in the bronchioles that results in a bad cough and wheezy breathing.

Some people may make themselves sick by smoking, consuming too much alcohol, or having a poor diet. Whether illness is caused by lifestyle choices, genetics, or germs, there are ways to treat disorders so that homeostasis can be maintained by the body. Not all disorders can be fixed by technology alone.

In this lesson, you will explore the following essential questions:

• How is the rate of breathing controlled?
  
• How does technology provide solutions or limitations to the treatment of disorders affecting the respiratory system?