CBSE

Class 11 Biology
NCERT Exemplar Solutions
Chapter 17
BREATHING AND EXCHANGE OF GASES

Exercise

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Respiration in insects is called direct because

(a) The cells exchange O2/ CO2 directly with the air in the tubes

(b) The tissues exchange O2/ CO2 directly with coelomic fluid

(c) The tissues exchange O2/ CO2 directly with the air outside through body surface

(d) Tracheal tubes exchange O2/ CO2 directly with the haemocoel which then exchange the

same with tissues

Ans. (a) The cells exchange O2/ CO2 directly with the air in the tubes

2. Which of the following does not occur during breathing?

(a) Humidifies the air

(b) Brings the air to body temperature

(c) Diffusion of gases

(d) Cleans up the air

Ans. (c) Diffusion of gases

3. A person suffers punctures in his chest cavity in an accident, without any damage to
the lungs its effect could be

(a) Reduced breathing rate

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(b) Rapid increase in breathing rate

(c) No change in respiration

(d) Cessation of breathing

Ans. (d) Cessation of breathing

Explanation: Chest cavity works like an air-tight chamber. Any puncture will hamper
inflation or deflation and thus breathing will stop.

4. It is known that exposure to carbon monoxide is harmful to animals because

(a) It reduces CO2 transport

(b) It reduces O2 transport

(c) It increases CO2 transport

(d) It increases O2 transport

Ans. (b) It reduces O2 transport

Explanation: Carbon monoxide binds with haemoglobin; leaving less haemoglobin free for
binding with oxygen.

5. Mark the true statement among the following with reference to normal breathing

(a) Inspiration is a passive process where as expiration is active

(b) Inspiration is a active process where as expiration is passive

(c) Inspiration and expiration are active processes

(d) Inspiration and expiration are passive processes

Ans. (b) Inspiration is an active process whereas expiration is passive.

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6. A person breathes in some volume of air by forced inspiration after having a forced
expiration. This quantity of air taken in is

(a) Total lung capacity

(b) Tidal volume

(c) Vital capacity

(d) Inspiratory capacity

Ans. (c) Vital capacity

7. Mark the incorrect statement in context to O2 binding to Hb

(a) Higher pH

(b) Lower temperature

(c) Lower pCO2

(d) Higher pO2

Ans. (a) Higher pH

Explanation: Binding of oxygen with haemoglobin is primarily related to partial pressure of

O2. In alveoli, high pO2, low pCO2, less H+concentration and lower temperature facilitate

formation of oxyhaemoglobin.

8. Mark the correct pair of muscles involved in the normal breathing process in
humans

(a) External and internal intercostal muscles

(b) Diaphragm and abdominal muscles

(c) Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles

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(d) Diaphragm and intercostal muscles

Ans. (d) Diaphragm and intercostal muscles

9. Incidence of Emphysema – a respiratory disorder is high in cigarette smokers. In

such cases

(a) The bronchioles are found to be damaged

(b) The alveolar walls are found to be damaged

(c) The plasma membrane is found to be damaged

(d) The respiratory muscles are found to be damaged

Ans. (b) The alveolar walls are found to be damaged

10. Respiratory process is regulated by certain specialized centres in the brain. One of
the following listed centres can reduce the duration of inspiration upon stimulation

(a) Medullary inspiratory centre

(b) Pneumotaxic centre

(c) Apneustic centre

(d) Chemosensitive centre

Ans. (b) Pneumotaxic centre

11. CO2 dissociates from carbamino-haemoglobin when

(a) pCO2 is high & pO2 is low

(b) pO2 is high and pCO2 is low

(c) pCO2 and pO2 are equal

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(d) None of the above

Ans. (b) pO2 is high and pCO2 is low

Explanation: In alveoli, pCO2 is low and pO2 is high. Due to this CO2 dissociates from

haemoglobin.

12. In breathing movements, air volume can be estimated by

(a) Stethoscope

(b) Hygrometer

(c) Sphygmomanometer

(d) Spirometer

Ans. (d) Spirometer

Explanation: Stethoscope is used for hearing sounds from chest. Hygrometer is used for
measuring density of liquid. Sphygmomanometer is used for measuring blood pressure.

13. From the following relationships between respiratory volume and capacities, mark
the correct option

(i) Inspiratory capacity (IC) = Tidal Volume + Residual Volume

(ii) Vital Capacity (VC) = Tidal Volume (TV) + Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) + Expiratory
Reserve Volume (ERV).

(iii) Residual Volume (RV) = Vital Capacity (VC) – Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

(iv) Tidal Volume (TV) = Inspiratory Capacity (IC) – Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) Options:

(a) (i) Incorrect, (ii) Incorrect, (iii) Incorrect, (iv) Correct

(b) (i) Incorrect, (ii) Correct, (iii) Incorrect, (iv) Correct

(c) (i) Correct, (ii) Correct, (iii) Incorrect, (iv) Correct

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(d) (i) Correct, (ii) Incorrect, (iii) Correct, (iv) Incorrect

Ans. (b) (i) Incorrect, (ii) Correct, (iii) Incorrect, (iv) Correct

14. The oxygen – haemoglobin dissociation curve will show a right shift in case of

(a) High pCO2

(b) High pO2

(c) Low pCO2

(d) Less H+ concentration

Ans. (a) High pCO2

Explanation: The oxygen haemoglobin curve shifted to right when pO2 decreases,

pCO2 increases, H+ concentration increases, pH decreases and body temperature increases.

15. Match the following and mark the correct options

Animal Respiratory organ

A. Earthworm (i) Moist cuticle

B. Aquatic arthropods (ii) Gills

C. Fishes (iii) Lungs

D. Birds/Reptiles (iv) Trachea

Options:

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(a) A – (ii), B – (i), C – (iv), D – (iii)

(b) A – (i), B – (iv), C – (ii), D – (iii)

(c) A – (i), B – (iii), C – (ii), D – (iv)

(d) A – (i), B – (ii), C – (iv), D – (iii)

Ans. (b) A – (i), B – (iv), C – (ii), D – (iii)

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 VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Define the following terms?

(a)Tidal volume

(b) Residual volume

(c) Asthma

Ans. (a) Volume of air inspired or expired under normal breathing is called tidal volume. In
a normal individual, this is 500 mL; which means tidal volume is 6000 to 8000 mL per
minute.

(b) Volume of air remaining in the lungs even after a forceful expiration. In normal
individual, it is 1100 to 1200 mL.

(c) Difficulty in breathing due to inflammation of bronchi or bronchioles. A person makes a

wheezing sound while breathing during asthmatic attack.

2. A fluid filled double membranous layer surrounds the lungs. Name it and mention its
important function.

Ans. The double membranous layer around the lungs is called pleura. It reduces friction on
the lungs and acts as a protective covering of the lungs.

3. Name the primary site of exchange of gases in our body?

Ans. Alveoli are the primary sites of exchange of gases in our body.

4. Cigarette smoking causes emphysema. Give reason.

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Ans. Smoking results in damage to alveolar wall. As a result, respiratory surface is reduced.
This causes emphysema.

5. What is the amount of O2 supplied to tissues through every 100 mL of oxygenated

blood under normal physiological conditions?

Ans. 5 mL oxygen is delivered to the tissues through every 100 mL of oxygenated blood.

6. A major percentage (97%) of O2 is transported by RBCs in the blood. How does the

remaining percentage (3%) of O2transported?

Ans. The remaining 3% of oxygen is transported in dissolved state through plasma.

7. Arrange the following terms based on their volumes in an ascending order

(a) Tidal Volume (TV)

(b) Residual Volume (RV)

(c) Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

(d) Expiratory Capacity (EC)

Ans. TV (500 mL) < RV (1100 to 1200 mL) < EC (1500 to 1600 mL) < IRV (2500 to 3000 mL)

8. Complete the missing terms

(a) Inspiratory Capacity (IC) = _____ +IRV

(b) _____ = TV + ERV

(c) Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) = ERV + _____

Ans. (a) TV

(b) Expiratory Capacity (EC)

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(c) RV

9. Name the organs of respiration in the following organisms:

(a) Flatworm - ______

(b) Birds - ______

(c) Frog - ______

(d) Cockroach – ______

Ans. (a) Body surface

(b) Lungs

(c) Lungs and skin

(d) Trachea

10. Name the important parts involved in creating a pressure gradient between lungs
and the atmosphere during normal respiration.

Ans. Diaphragm and Intercostal muscles

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 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. State the different modes of CO2 transport in blood.

Ans. Different modes of transport of CO2 in blood are as follows:

About 20 – 25% of CO2 is transported by RBCs. In this case, carbon dioxide is

transported as carbamino-haemoglobin.
About 70% of CO2 is carried as bicarbonate. The enzyme carbonic anhydrase

facilitates the following reaction in this case:

CO2 + H2O H2CO3 HCO3 + H+

About 7% of CO2 is carried in dissolved state through plasma.

2. Compared to O2, diffusion rate of CO2 through the diffusion membrane per unit

difference in partial pressure is much higher. Explain.

Ans. We know that solubility of CO2 is 20 – 25% higher than O2. Due to this, the diffusion rate

of CO2 through diffusion membrane per unit difference in partial pressure is much higher

than the diffusion rate of O2.

3. For completion of respiration process, write the given steps in sequential manner

(a) Diffusion of gases (O2 and CO2) across alveolar membrane.

(b) Transport of gases by blood.

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(c) Utilisation of O2 by the cells for catabolic reactions and resultant release of CO2

(d) Pulmonary ventilation by which atmospheric air is drawn in and CO2 rich alveolar

air is released out.

(e) Diffusion of O2 and CO2 between blood and tissues.

Ans. Following is the correct sequence:

(a) Diffusion of gases (O2 and CO2) across alveolar membrane.

(b) Transport of gases by blood.

(c) Utilisation of O2 by the cells for catabolic reactions and resultant release of CO2.

(d) Pulmonary ventilation by which atmospheric air is drawn in and CO2 rich alveolar air is

released out.

(e) Diffusion of O2 and CO2 between blood and tissues.

4. Differentiate between

(a) Inspiratory and expiratory reserve volume

(b) Vital capacity and total lung capacity

(c) Emphysema and occupational respiratory disorder

Ans. (a) Additional volume of air a person can inspire by a forcible inspiration is called
inspiratory reserve volume (IRV). Additional volume of air a person can expire by a forced
expiration is called expiratory reserve volume (ERV). In a normal individual, IRV is about
2500 to 3000 mL while ERV is about 1000 to 1100 mL.

(b) The maximum volume of air a person can breathe in after a forced expiration, or the
maximum volume of air a person can breathe out after a forced inspiration is called Vital
Capacity. The total volume of air in lungs at the end of a forced inspiration is called Total
Lung Capacity.

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(c) Alveoli walls are damaged in emphysema, while any other part of the respiratory system
could be damaged in occupational respiratory disorder. Smoking is a major cause of
emphysema. Fine particles generated during some mechanical processes are the cause of
occupational respiratory disorder.

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 LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Explain the transport of O2 and CO2 between alveoli and tissue with diagram.

Ans. The following diagram shows the transport of O2 and CO2 between alveoli and tissue

fluid

In alveoli, pO2 is 104 mm Hg and pCO2 is 40 mm Hg. In deoxygenated blood, pO2 is 40

mm Hg; which is less than the partial pressure of oxygen in alveoli. Due to this oxygen
enters the blood in alveoli.
In deoxygenated blood, pCO2 is 45 mm Hg; which is more than the partial pressure of

CO2 in alveoli. Due to this, carbon dioxide exits from tissue cells and enter the alveoli.

Once blood reaches the tissues, partial pressure of oxygen in oxygenated blood is 95
mm Hg which is more than partial pressure of oxygen in deoxygenated blood (40 mm
Hg). Hence, oxygen from blood enters the tissues.
At the tissue level, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in deoxygenated blood is
more than that in oxygenated blood. Hence, carbon dioxide exits from the tissues.

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2. Explain the mechanism of breathing with neat labelled sketches.

Ans. Following are the steps involved in breathing.

Inspiration: The intercostal muscles initiate contraction of diaphragm. This increases the
volume of the thoracic chamber. Ribs and diaphragm are moved upwards. As a result,
pressure inside the lungs becomes less than atmospheric pressure. This difference in
pressure causes air to move inside the lungs.

Expiration: The intercostal muscles and the diaphragm relax and move to their original
position. Ribs and sternum return to their original position. The volume inside the thoracic
chamber reduces. As a result, pressure inside the lungs becomes more than the atmospheric
pressure and air is forced out of the lungs.

3. Explain the role of neural system in regulation of respiration.

Ans. The neural system plays an important role in regulation of respiration. Regulation of
respiration depends on various intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

The respiratory rhythm centre is present in medulla. This is a specialized centre and
is primarily responsible for the regulation of respiration.
The pneumotaxic centre is present in the pons region of the brain. It can moderate the
functions of the respiratory rhythm centre. Nerve signals from pneumotaxic centre
can reduce the duration of inspiration and can thus alter the respiratory rate.
A chemosensitive area is present adjacent to the rhythm centre. This is highly
sensitive to CO2 and hydrogen ions. Increase in these substances can activate this

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centre. Then, the chemosensitive area can give signal to the rhythm entre to make
necessary adjustments so that these substances can be eliminated.
There are receptors associated with aortic arch and carotid artery. These receptors

can also recognize changes in CO2 and H+concentration. After that, they send

necessary signals to the rhythm centre so that corrective actions can be taken.
The role of oxygen is quite insignificant in the regulation of respiratory rhythm
centre.

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