CHAPTER 11 RESPIRATION

MCQ

1. (a) spiracles 2. (a) bronchi

3. (d) alveoli 4. (b) It occurs only during the day
5. (b) Carbon dioxide is given out. 6. (a) stomata
7. (b) internal respiration
8. (c) In combustion, energy is released in several steps, whereas in respiration, it is
released in a single step.

VERY SHORT ANSWERS

1. Cellular respiration 2. Epiglottis is the flap
3. Diaphragm 4. breathing or external respiration.
5. Stomata 6. diffusion
7. True. 8. oxidised
9. False.
10. Nostrils and nasal cavity →→ pharynx →→ trachea and
bronchi →→ lungs →→ bronchioles and alveoli →→ blood →→ cells.
11. haemoglobin.

SHORT ANSWERS.

1. Question 1: What is 'oxidation'?

ANSWER: Oxidation is the breakdown of food (glucose) into carbon dioxide and
water to release energy in the presence of oxygen.

Question 2: Why should we not overwater potted plants?

ANSWER: We should not over-water potted plants because water will replace the
air present in the soil and roots won't be able to breathe.

Question 3: What do you mean by the 'stomatal apparatus'?

ANSWER: Stomatal apparatus refers to the stomata along with its nearby guard
cells and other associated cells.

Question 4: What are the main organs of the respiratory system?

ANSWER: The main organs of the human respiratory system are nostrils, trachea,
bronchi and lungs.
Question 5: What happens during cellular respiration?
ANSWER: During cellular respiration, the food is broken down in presence of
oxygen into carbon dioxide and water to give energy.

Question 6: Why does the breathing becomes faster while doing exercise?
ANSWER: Breathing becomes faster during exercise because more oxygen is
inhaled and supplied to the cells. This increases the rate of breakdown of food and
gives more energy that is needed for exercise.

Question 7: What chemical reaction occurs during anaerobic respiration in

yeast?

ANSWER: The chemical reaction that occurs during anaerobic respiration in yeast
is:
Glucose −→−−−−−No Oxygen → Alcohol + Carbon dioxide + Energy

Question 8: An athlete suffers from muscular cramps while running a race.

How can you help him overcome the cramps?

ANSWER: The cramps can be overcome by massaging the affected part or having
hot water bath. These methods increase the blood circulation and the supply of
oxygen in the body.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

Question 1: Name and explain in one sentence each, the two main processes
of respiration.

ANSWER: The two main processes of respiration are as follows:

1. Breathing or external respiration: This is the process of taking in oxygen-rich air

and giving out carbon dioxide-rich air.
2. Cellular respiration or internal respiration: This is the process of breakdown of
food in the presence of oxygen into carbon dioxide and water to release energy.

Question 2: How does exchange of gases occur in the following:

(a) fish (b) cockroach

ANSWER: (a) Fish: The exchange of gases in fishes takes place through gills. Gills
have large number of filaments supplied with thin blood capillaries. Water enters
through the mouth and passes over the gills. Oxygen is absorbed by blood in the
capillaries and carbon dioxide is given out through its walls.
(b) Cockroach: The exchange of gases takes place through spiracles. Oxygen-rich
air enters the body through spiracles and reaches all parts of the body via trachea
(respiratory tube). Trachea is further branched into tracheoles.

Question 3: How do the nostrils contribute to the process of breathing?

ANSWER: When we breathe in air, it passes through our nostrils. The slimy mucus
present in it moistens the air. The inner lining of nose secretes mucus. The blood
circulating in the nose makes the air warm. The mucus and hair present in the nostril
catch the dirt, dust and disease-causing germs. Thus, they cannot enter respiratory
system.

Question 4: Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus you will use to show
that heat is produced during respiration in seeds. Why are two flasks used in
the experiment?

ANSWER: Two flasks are used in the experiment (one containing the germinating
seeds and other containing the boiled seeds) to show that heat is produced during
respiration. Respiration occurs in germinating seeds, but not in boiled seeds. The
thermometer inserted in the flask containing germinating seeds shows higher
temperature than the one inserted in the flask containing boiled seeds. This shows
heat is produced during respiration.

Question 5: What happens to the air breathed in, once it reaches the lungs?
ANSWER: Once the air is breathed in, it reaches the lungs and passes in to
bronchioles (small tubes). At the end of bronchioles, tiny air sacs called alveoli are
present. Air from bronchioles reaches the alveoli. Alveoli are surrounded by blood
vessels. Here, exchange of gases between blood and air sacs takes place. The
oxygen present in the breathed air enters the blood present in blood vessels and
carbon dioxide present in the blood goes out into the alveoli. Thus, exchange of
gases takes place in the air once it reaches the lungs.

Question 6: Explain, with the help of a diagram, the structure of human lungs,
and how exchange of gases occurs in the lungs.

ANSWER: Human lungs consist of small tubes, bronchioles and tiny air sacs
known as alveoli (about 300 million in each lung).
Exchange of gases in lungs:
The air breathed in reaches the air sacs that are surrounded by blood vessels.
These blood vessels transfer the oxygen present in the air to the blood. The carbon
dioxide present in the blood passes to the air sacs.

Question 7: How are combustion and cellular respiration similar to each

other? In what ways are they different?

ANSWER: Combustion and cellular respiration are similar to each other because at
the end of both processes heat and energy are released.

Differences between them:

Combustion Respiration
It is a fast process. It is a slow process.
It takes place only at high temperature. It takes place at body temperature.
It can happen anywhere. It can take place only in living cells.

It is a single-step process, and energy is released It is a multi-step process, and energy is

in the form of heat and light. stored in the form of ATP.

Question 8: How will you show that exhaled air has more carbon dioxide than
inhaled air?

ANSWER: Carbon dioxide turns lime water milky. Based on this principle,
experiment can be designed to show that exhaled air has more carbon dioxide than
inhaled air.

 Take two test tubes half filled with lime water.

 With the help of glass tubes, clips and stoppers having two holes, set up an
apparatus as shown below:
  The middle rubber tube is used to breath in and out through the mouth.
 Suck air through the rubber tube and open clip X and close clip Y. The inhaled air
passes through the lime water present in test tube A. Now, exhale through the
tube again and close clip X and open clip Y. The exhaled air passes through the
lime water in test tube B.
 The lime water in test tube B turns milky. This shows that exhaled air has more
carbon dioxide.

Question 9: What is the difference between breathing and cellular respiration?

ANSWER: Differences between breathing and cellular respiration:

Breathing Cellular Respiration
It is a physical process in which exchange of gases takes It is oxidation of food, thus
place. It does not involve any chemical reaction. involves a chemical reaction.
It occurs outside the cells. It occurs inside the cells.
Energy is liberated during the
No energy is liberated in the process.
process.

Question 10: What is anaerobic respiration? Does it occur in the human body
also?

ANSWER: The breakdown of glucose to obtain energy in the absence of oxygen to

give carbon dioxide and alcohol is termed as anaerobic respiration. Several
organisms such as yeast and bacteria can live without oxygen as they carry out
anaerobic respiration.
Yes, anaerobic respiration occurs in the human body also. During strenuous
activities, body needs more energy but cannot get enough oxygen. Thus, anaerobic
respiration occurs in the muscle cells to provide additional energy.

Question 11: Why do we sometimes suffer from muscle cramps while

exercising?

ANSWER:Cramps occur while exercising because of accumulation of lactic acid in the

muscle cells. During exercise, body needs more energy, but it cannot get more oxygen
for oxidation of food and for providing energy. The additional energy in muscle cells is
provided by anaerobic respiration in which partial breakdown of glucose into lactic acid
takes place. This lactic acid accumulates in muscle cells and causes cramps.

HOT QUESTIONS
Question 1:Is it wise to sleep under a tree
(a) during the day (b) at night .Give reasons

ANSWER:(a) It is wise to sleep under a tree during the day. During day, plants take
up carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and give out oxygen. Humans require oxygen
for respiration. Therefore, while sleeping under a tree during daytime, one gets
oxygen-rich air.
(b) On the other hand, during night, plants also respire. They take up oxygen and
give out carbon dioxide. Therefore, if one sleeps under a tree during night, he/she
will get oxygen-deficient air.

Question 2: A person put warm water in an aquarium, thinking that the fish would
be more comfortable in it. However, the fish died. What can be the reason for this?
(HINT: the solubility of a gas in water goes down as its temperature increases)

ANSWER: A fish needs the dissolved oxygen in water for respiration. Upon an
increase in temperature, the solubility of oxygen in water decreases. The fish cannot
get enough oxygen for respiration and hence dies.

Question 3: When you run, your breathing becomes faster as you need more
oxygen. But why does your rate of heartbeat also increase?

ANSWER: Body needs more oxygen during running and oxygen is carried by blood
to all the parts of the body. Heart needs to pump more blood, carrying oxygen, to all
the body parts during running. In order to supply more blood, the heart rate also
increases during running.

Question 4: Why do plants not need a respiratory system?

ANSWER: Plants have tiny pores called stomata on the surface of their leaves and
stems. The exchange of gases in plants occurs through these pores. Thus, they do
not need a respiratory system.

Question 5: If you hold your breath for some time and then release it, you have to
breathe heavily after that. Why?

ANSWER: The supply of oxygen in the body is withheld if we hold our breath. Body
needs oxygen for oxidation of food in order to provide energy for all other processes.
Holding our breath cuts down the supply of oxygen. After releasing it, we need to
breathe heavily in order to take more oxygen which is needed by our body.

Question 6: Why do you think we yawn when we are sleepy or drowsy?

ANSWER: When we are sleepy or drowsy, we need more energy and hence more
oxygen. In order to draw more oxygen, we yawn.

Question 7: Why do mountaineers climbing high mountains carry oxygen cylinders

with them?

ANSWER: As one goes up from plains to mountains, the amount of oxygen present
in the air decreases. On mountains, one cannot get enough oxygen through the
normal breathing process. Thus, mountaineers need to carry oxygen cylinders with
them to get continuous supply of oxygen.