Mon Prof Augmenté
Cat Purr Vibrations
Age 12 · Biology
A cat’s purr starts when air moves from the lungs through the trachea. The moving air makes thin folds in the larynx and nearby soft tissue vibrate, producing a steady low sound.
This picture is part of the full library
Every lesson is open to everyone for 7 days after it is published. This one came out on September 25, 2026: its text stays readable here, and its picture opens with a subscription.
The app is free. A subscription opens every lesson, in every school year.
In the picture
- Lungs: air-filled sacs that push air upward.
- Trachea: a ringed tube that carries air to the larynx.
- Vocal folds: thin edges in the larynx that vibrate as air passes.
- Surrounding tissue: soft pads beside the folds that also vibrate.
- Radiating arcs: low-pitched waves spreading from the throat.
Examples
- A cat purring on a lap.
- A cat purring while kneading a blanket.
Key takeaways
- A purr is made by vibrating tissue, not by the mouth alone.
- The sound can continue while a cat breathes in and out.
Quiz: Cat Purr Vibrations (Age 12)
-
What actually creates a cat’s purring sound?
-
Which part carries air from the lungs to the larynx?
-
What can be true about a cat’s purring while it breathes?
The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.
Free app, optional subscription
App Store Google Play
Carry on in the app
At least one new illustrated lesson every weekday for your child’s year, with its quiz and a reminder at 6:15 pm.
Your child’s teacher does not use My Enhanced Teacher yet?
Tell them about it
