GASEOUS EXCHANGE WORKSHEET

Single celled organisms such as protozoa are in constant contact with their external environment, so
gaseous exchange occurs by diffusion across their membranes.

Humans on the other hand are multicellular organisms and thus need an internal body surface for their
gas exchange with the environment, the lungs. The respiratory system includes structures such as the
nostrils, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, diaphragm, alveoli, lungs and bronchioles.

Gas exchange occurs at the alveoli. The alveoli have a large surface area, are thin and well perfused.
Oxygen is much more concentrated in the alveolus air than it is in the blood, so it dissolves in the film
of moisture and diffuses into the blood, where it is carried away by the red blood cell.

Carbon Dioxide has a much higher concentration in the blood than it does in the alveolus, so it
diffuses out of the blood into the alveolus and then evaporates into the air of the alveolus, where it is
breathed out. The blood then moves away from the alveolus, carrying oxygen with it.

Questions:

1. Describe the characteristics that characterize all exchange surfaces in organisms.

2. Describe the mechanism of ventilation in human beings.
3. Explain the role of the pleural membranes.
4. Discuss the factors that influence the activity of the respiratory centre in the medulla
oblongata.
5. Compare and contrast gas exchange in protozoans and humans.
6. Why does foetal haemoglobin have a higher affinity for oxygen than adult haemoglobin?
7. Describe the mechanism of inspiration and expiration.
8. Label the Respiratory System Diagram 12