Which type of breathing increases and decreases in depth with periodic pauses?

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by a cyclical pattern of breathing that includes periods of deep breathing followed by periods of apnea, or pause in breathing. This pattern results in a gradual increase in the depth and rate of breathing, which then decreases back to a paused state. This phenomenon typically occurs due to certain conditions affecting the brain's respiratory centers, such as heart failure or increased intracranial pressure.

The unique cycle of increased depth (hyperpnea) followed by decreased depth (hypopnea) and then a complete cessation of breathing (apnea) distinguishes Cheyne-Stokes respiration from other types of breathing patterns. For example, ataxic breathing is characterized by irregular and unpredictable breathing without the cyclic pattern that Cheyne-Stokes exhibits. Biot breathing shows a pattern of clusters of breaths followed by periods of apnea, but lacks the gradual changes in depth. Asthmatic breathing involves wheezing and difficulty in airflow with a consistent pattern rather than the distinct increase and decrease seen in Cheyne-Stokes respiration. The cyclical nature and varying depth of Cheyne-Stokes respiration make it the correct answer in this scenario.