Chapter 10

Respiration
& Gas Exchange

Dr. Ahmad Salem - Biology OL 1

 RESPIRATION

Respiration is a chemical process that involves the

breakdown of nutrient molecules (specifically glucose) in
order to release the energy stored within the bonds of these
molecules.

• Respiration can take place with oxygen (aerobically) or

without oxygen (anaerobically).
• Respiration occurs in all living cells.
• Most of the chemical reactions in aerobic respiration take
place in the mitochondria.

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Uses of energy in living organisms:

1. Muscle contraction
2. Protein synthesis
3. Cell division (to make new cells)
4. Active transport
5. Growth
6. Passage of nerve impulses
7. Maintenance of a constant body temperature

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Aerobic Respiration:
Requires Oxygen

The chemical reactions in cells that use oxygen to

break down nutrient molecules to release energy.

Complete breakdown of glucose to release a relatively

large amount of energy for use in cell processes.

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Dr. Ahmad Salem - Biology OL 5
Anaerobic Respiration:

Does not require oxygen

The chemical reactions in cells that breakdown nutrient

molecules to release energy without using oxygen.

It is the incomplete breakdown of glucose and releases a

relatively small amount of energy for use in cell processes.

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Anaerobic Respiration in Animals
Anaerobic respiration mainly takes place in muscle cells
during vigorous exercise. (Higher demand for energy)

producing lactic acid

There is still energy stored within the bonds of lactic acid molecules that
the cell could use; for this reason, less energy is released when glucose is
broken down anaerobically.

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Anaerobic Respiration in Yeast
We take advantage of the products of anaerobic
respiration in yeast by using it in bread making (where the
carbon dioxide produced helps dough to rise)

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 AEROBIC ANAEROBIC
OXYGEN NEEDED NOT NEEDED

GLUCOSE
BREAKDOWN COMPLETE INCOMPLETE

• ANIMAL CELLS: LACTIC

CARBON ACID
PRODUCTS DIOXIDE & • YEAST: CARBON
WATER DIOXIDE AND ETHANOL

ENERGY
RELEASED A LOT A LITTLE
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Lactic Acid & The Oxygen Debt
Lactic acid builds up in muscle cells and lowers the pH of
the cells. (more acidic)

Cells excrete lactic acid into the blood. When blood passes
through the liver, lactic acid is taken up into liver cells where it
is oxidised, producing carbon dioxide and water. (Aerobic)

‘repaying the oxygen debt’

1. Continuation of fast heart rate to transport lactic acid

in the blood from the muscles to the liver.
2. Continuation of deeper and faster breathing to supply
oxygen for aerobic respiration of lactic acid.
3. Aerobic respiration of lactic acid in the liver.
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GAS EXCHANGE IN
HUMANS

Dr. Ahmad Salem - Biology OL 11

Features of Gas Exchange Surfaces

All gas exchange surfaces have features in common.

Allow the maximum amount of gases to be exchanged across
the surface in the smallest amount of time.

They include:
1. Large surface area to allow faster diffusion of gases
across the surface.
2. Thin walls to ensure diffusion distances remain short
3. Good ventilation with air so that diffusion gradients can
be maintained.
4. Good blood supply to maintain a high concentration
gradient so diffusion occurs faster.

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Dr. Ahmad Salem - Biology OL 13
 THE BREATHING SYSTEM

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 STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION
RIBS
BONE STRUCTURE PROTECTS INTERNAL ORGANS
INTERCOSTAL MUSCLE
MUSCLES BETWEEN THE RIBS WHICH CONTROL THEIR
MOVEMENT CAUSING INHALATION AND EXHALATION
DIAPHRAGM
SHEET OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE & MUSCLE AT THE
BOTTOM OF THE THORAX THAT HELPS CHANGE THE
VOLUME OF THE THORAX
TRACHEA WINDPIPE THAT CONNECTS THE MOUTH AND NOSE
TO THE LUNGS
LARYNX

VOICE BOX, AIR PASSES ACROSS TO MAKE SOUNDS

BRONCHI LARGE TUBES BRANCHING OFF THE TRACHEA WITH
ONE BRONCHUS FOR EACH LUNG
BRONCHIOLES
SPLIT TO FORM SMALLER TUBES CALLED
BRONCHIOLES IN THE LUNGS CONNECTED TO ALVEOLI
ALVEOLI
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TINY AIR SACS WHERE GAS EXCHANGE TAKES PLACE
 The Trachea
Rings of cartilage surround the trachea (and bronchi), to
support the airways and keep them open during breathing.
If they were not present then the sides may collapse inwards when the air
pressure inside the tubes drops

The Function of Cilia & Mucus

▪ The passages down to the lungs are lined with ciliated epithelial cells.
▪ Goblet cells: The mucus is made by special mucus-producing cells.
▪ The mucus traps particles, pathogens like bacteria or viruses, and dust
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and prevents them getting into the lungs & cause any damage.
 The Intercostal Muscles
Muscles are only able to pull on bones, not push on them.
There are two sets of intercostal muscles:
1) The external intercostal muscles: set of intercostal
muscles is found on the outside of the ribcage.
2) The internal intercostal muscles: The other set is found on
the inside of the ribcage.

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 Inhalation & Exhalation
The external and internal intercostal muscles work as
antagonistic pairs.
a. During inhalation the external set of intercostal muscles
contract to pull the ribs up and out.

b. During exhalation the internal set of intercostal muscles

contract to pull the ribs down and in.

The point of this is to increase or decrease the volume of the

chest cavity (thorax) so that the lungs can follow and increase or
decrease in size.

The muscle surrounding the diaphragm also helps to

increase and decrease theDr. volume of the thorax.
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• As the volume of the thorax increases, the pressure
inside the lungs decreases. Once it drops below the air
pressure outside the lungs, air will be forced in
• During exhalation, the reverse occurs; volume decreases,
pressure in the thorax increases and air is forced out.

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• To increase the rate of gas exchange, need to inflate the
lungs quicker & almost to their maximum.
• The intercostal muscles will work to pull the ribs up
and out and increase the volume of the thorax more. 20
Dr. Ahmad Salem - Biology OL
 BREATHING IN
1. EXTERNAL INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES CONTRACT.
2. INTERNAL INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES RELAX.
3. RIBCAGE MOVES UP AND OUT.
4. DIAPHRAGM CONTRACTS AND FLATTENS.
5. PRESSURE INSIDE THORAX DICREASES.
6. AIR IS DRAWN IN.

BREATHING OUT
1. INTERNAL INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES CONTRACT
2. EXTERNAL INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES RELAX
3. RIBCAGE MOVES DOWN AND IN.
4. DIAPHRAGM RELAXES AND BECOMES DOME-SHAPED.
5. PRESSURE INSIDE THORAX INCREASES.
6. AIR IS FORCED OUT.

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 Explaining the Effect of Exercise on Breathing
⦁ Frequency and depth of breathing increase when exercising.
⦁ This is because muscles are working harder and aerobically respiring
more and they need more oxygen to be delivered to them (and
carbon dioxide removed) to keep up with the energy demand.
⦁ If they cannot meet the energy demand they will also respire
anaerobically, producing lactic acid.

⦁ After exercise has finished, the lactic acid that has built up in
muscles needs to be removed as it lowers the pH of cells and can
denature enzymes catalysing cell reactions.

⦁ It can only be removed by combining it with oxygen – this is known

as ‘repaying the oxygen debt’.

⦁ This can be tested by seeing how long it takes after exercise for the
breathing rate and depth to return to normal – the longer it takes,
the more lactic acid produced during exercise and the greater
the oxygen debt that needs to be repaid.
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 Carbon Dioxide Concentration & The Brain
⦁ As respiration rates increase, more carbon dioxide is
produced and enters the blood
⦁ Carbon dioxide is an acidic gas in solution and so it can
affect the working of enzymes in the cells and needs to
be removed as quickly as possible
⦁ As blood flows through the brain, the increase in carbon
dioxide concentration stimulates receptor cells
⦁ These send impulses to the muscles of the lungs,
causing them to contract faster and more strongly
⦁ This causes the frequency and depth of breathing to
increase until the carbon dioxide concentration of the
blood has lowered sufficiently

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 EXERCISE & BREATHING
Investigating the Effect of Exercise on Breathing

• Exercise increases the frequency and depth of breathing.

• This can be investigated by counting the breaths taken during
one minute at rest and measuring average chest expansion
over 5 breaths using a tape measure held around the chest.
• Exercise for a set time (at least 3 minutes).
• Immediately after exercising, count the breaths taken in one
minute and measure the average chest expansion over 5
breaths.
• Following exercise, the number of breaths per minute will
have increased and the chest expansion will also have
increased.
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 COMPOSITION OF AIR
Differences between Inhaled & Exhaled Air:
Air that is breathed in & air that is breathed out has different amounts of
gases in it due to exchanges that take place in the alveoli.

• Atmospheric air contains around 20 – 21% oxygen, of which

we only absorb around 4 – 5%.
• Normal carbon dioxide content of air is around 0.04% and,
as carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli from the blood,
we breathe out air containing around 4% carbon dioxide.
We also breathe out air containing more water vapour than the air we
breathe in, and the temperature of exhaled air is higher than inhaled air.

GAS INSPIRED Air EXPIRED Air

OXYGEN 21% 16%
CARBON Dioxide 0.04% 4%
WATER Vapour LOWER HIGHER
NITROGEN 78%
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78% 25
Using Limewater to Test for CO2 in Exhaled Air
To investigate the difference between the amount of carbon
dioxide in inhaled air and exhaled air.

When we breathe in, the air is

drawn through boiling tube A.
When we breathe out, the air is
blown into boiling tube B.
Lime water is clear but becomes
cloudy (or milky) when carbon
dioxide is bubbled through it.
The lime water in boiling tube A will
remain clear, but the limewater in
boiling tube B will become cloudy
This shows us that the percentage
of carbon dioxide in exhaled air is
higher than in inhaled air.
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