Maris Stella High School Name: ___________________

GCE O Level Science Biology Class (Index No.): ____ ( )

Revision Summary Date: _____________

Respiration
Revision Summary
Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration
Similarities:
- Both involve breakdown of food to release energy (in ATP) to allow cells to do work
- Both are chemical reactions, involving enzymes, occurring within cells

Differences
Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration
Breakdown of food in the presence of Breakdown of food in the absence of oxygen
oxygen
Releases large amount of energy Releases small amount of energy
Products: Carbon dioxide and water Products: Animal cells (eg. Muscle) – Lactic acid
Yeast – Ethanol and carbon dioxide (Alcoholic
fermentation)
Occurs generally in all living cells in Occurs in skeletal muscle cells when additional energy is
presence of oxygen needed in the presence of insufficient oxygen

Respiration, Breathing, Gaseous Exchange

Aerobic Respiration Breathing Gaseous Exchange

Breakdown of food substances in Movement of air in Exchange of gases between air in the
Definition

the presence of oxygen with the
release of large amounts of
energy. Carbon dioxide and water
are released as waste products.
In all living cells, occurs in
Location
and out of the lungs alveoli and blood in the capillaries
(inhalation and surround the alveoli.
exhalation).
Along respiratory tract Between alveoli in lungs and

mitochondria (for eukaryotes) (from nostrils to lungs) surrounding blood capillaries.

Chemical reaction depends on: *Physical mechanism Physical exchange facilitated by:
1. Availabillity of glucose due to actions of: 1. Film of water on inner walls of
2. Availability of oxygen 1. Intercostal alveoli
Mechanism

3. Temperature (affects muscles attached 2. Very thin alveolar walls

enzymes) to ribs 3. Constant flow of blood in capillaries,
2. Ribcage constant flow of air in and out of
3. Diaphragm lungs
4. Network of capillaries surrounding,
small, numerous alveoli

*Not required in Science Bio syllabus

 The Respiratory System in Man
Feature
Hairs in nostrils
Mucus produced by gland cells lining nasal
passages, trachea and upper half of bronchi
Cilia lining nasal passages, trachea, and
upper hallf of the bronchi
C-shaped rings of cartilage around trachea
and bronchi
Elastic nature of lungs
Pleural membranes with pleural fluid
Millions of alveoli in the lungs
Function
Filters incoming air by trapping dust
Mucus traps dust and bacteria, prevents entry of these
particles into alveoli
Sweep mucus with trapped dust up airways into pharynx
Support airways to ensure it is always kept open, prevents
lumen from collapsing when pressure in thoracic cavity falls
Allows lungs to expand and contract easily during breathing
Reduce friction when they rub against the ribcage
Provide a large surface area for maximum gaseous
exchange
 Alveolar Structure and Function

Structure/ Feature Function/ Rationale

Numerous and small alveoli
Richly supplied with blood capillaries
One cell thick epithelium (thin walls)
Film of water on inner walls of alveoli
Constant flow of blood through capillaries
Breathing movements exchange air in
alveoli constantly
Increase surface area to volume ratio for gaseous exchange
Increase surface area for gaseous exchange
Decrease diffusion distance for rapid gaseous exchange
Oxygen dissolves into film of water before diffusing through
alveolar walls
Diffusion gradient of gases maintained
Diffusion gradient of gases maintained

Experiments in Respiration

Apparatus/Chemicals used Function

Caustic potash (KOH) Absorb carbon dioxide
Limewater Test for presence of carbon dioxide
Hydrogen carbonate indicator Test for presence of carbon dioxide
Oil Used to cover the surface of liquids to prevent oxygen from dissolving
into the liquid
Spirometer Used to measure volume of air inhaled or exhaled by a person