Grade: 11

Time: 1:15 – 2:00 p.m. (Thursday)

Week 7: 17th – 21st Oct, 2022
Date: 7th Oct, 2022
Egestion & Excretion
Excretion refers to the removal of materials from inside the body while egestion is the removal

of undigested food that have been unabsorbed by the body.

Some substances that are broken down are passed out through the alimentary canal. An example

of this is bilirubin. Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells are broken down and it is yellow.

In faeces, it is brown in colour.

Breathing in Humans

Respiration is defined as the process of obtaining energy through the chemical breakdown of

food molecules. Respiration takes place mainly in the mitochondria of cells and requires oxygen.

Oxygen enters the body through the lungs by a process called breathing.

The main function of the respiratory system is to bring oxygen to the body and to get rid of

carbon dioxide. The following make up the respiratory system:

- Points of entry and exit are mouth, nose and trachea

- Cilia

- A large surface area with alveoli

- A thin permeable respiratory surface in the lungs

- A rich blood supply from capillaries

- A breathing system consisting of the ribs, intercostal muscles and diaphragm

Equation for respiration:

Glucose + Oxygen  Carbon dioxide + water

C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O

Mechanism of Breathing

Breathing refers to a mechanical process that allows air to be taken into the body for the purpose

of gaseous exchange.

The diaphragm moves downwards while the intercostal muscles move the rib cage up and out

when inhaling. This decreases the internal air pressure and the air from the outside enters the

lungs.
 Breathing rate

When the carbon dioxide concentration level in the blood increases, this triggers chemoreceptors

in the aorta and carotid arteries and this sends a message to the medulla. Hence, breathing

becomes deeper and faster in an attempt to provide the body with sufficient oxygen and reduce

the carbon dioxide build up.

Vital Capacity

This is the largest volume of air breathed out after fully breathing in. This will vary according to

body size and fitness levels.

Tidal Volume

This is the volume of air that moves in or out of the lungs during a normal breath.

Oxygen Debt

This is a temporary shortage of oxygen in the body/lack of oxygen in the body. This causes

muscle fatigue.

Gaseous Exchange and Breathing

Breathing is taking air in and out the lungs. Gaseous exchange occurs when the gases move

across the respiratory surface and into/out of the blood.

Gaseous Exchange Surfaces

Gaseous exchange takes place via diffusion through surfaces. The larger the surface area, the

greater the rate of diffusion will be. Inside the lungs, there are very small air sacs called alveoli.
These increase the surface area inside the lungs. The alveoli are covered with a network of small

blood vessels and this allows air in the lungs to be brought to the blood.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration is respiration that occurs in the presence of oxygen. Glucose is broken down

completely during this type of respiration to produce carbon dioxide and water. In the absence of

oxygen, anaerobic respiration occurs. Glucose is not broken down completely. During exercise,

muscles may not get enough oxygen. They utilize anaerobic respiration to get energy but lactic

acid is produced as a by-product. This causes cramp.