Respiratory System

Breathing, Gaseous Exchange and Respiration

Grade 10
The Respiratory Tract
Let’s Differentiate

• What is:
1. Breathing
Breathing is the process of moving air into and out of the lungs to facilitate
gas exchange with the internal environment, mostly by bringing in oxygen and
flushing out carbon dioxide.
2. Gaseous exchange
Gas exchange is the delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream, and
the elimination of carbon dioxide from the bloodstream to the lungs. It occurs
in the lungs between the alveoli and a network of tiny blood vessels called
capillaries, which are located in the walls of the alveoli
3.Respiration
a process in living organisms involving the production of energy, typically with
the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide from the oxidation of
complex organic substances.
The Breathing Mechanism
Composition of Air
Breathing and Exercise
Lung Capacity
Gaseous Exchange
Gaseous Exchange
 Gas Exchange Surfaces Specification Link:
Gas Exchange Surfaces

The diagram below shows the structure of the alveoli Highlight key words in the
information below

At the end of each of the many tiny branches of

our bronchial tree, we find openings to
microscopic sacs. Each little sac is an alveolus,
singular for alveoli. There may be several alveoli
coming from one duct, forming a little clump.
These groups of alveoli somewhat resemble a
cluster of grapes that are all attached. It is in the
alveoli that one of the most important transfers
in our entire body takes place. It is here that the
respiratory system comes into direct contact
with the circulatory system, or blood vessels.

Describe how each of the following

increases gas exchange:
The alveoli of the human lungs cluster together in • Good ventilation?
alveolar sacs. These clusters are commonly said to
_____________________________________
resemble clusters of grapes, as the nearly spherical
_____________________________________
alveoli appear to bud away from "stems" (alveolar
_____________________________________
ducts). Describe in detail how blood becomes
_____________________________________
oxygenated in the lungs:
_____________________________________
__________________________________________ • Good circulation?
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________ • A large surface area?
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________ • Moist surface?
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
______________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________ • Short diffusion distance?
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________________________
_______
__________________________________________
How do fishes Breathe?
 The Structure of Gills Practice Question
Highlight key words in the information below:

Fish use specialized surfaces called gills to carry out gas exchange. Gills are highly
folded, giving them a large surface area and maximizing the efficiency of gas
exchange. This is important because there isn't much oxygen in the water, and fish
need to absorb enough oxygen to survive.
Fish use specialized surfaces called gills to carry out gas exchange. Gills are highly
folded, giving them a large surface area and maximizing the efficiency of gas
exchange. The gill filaments have many protrusions called gill lamellae.

Explain how the diagram shows that gills are adapted for efficient gas exchange.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Highlight key words in the information below:
An aggregation of morphologically similar cells and
associated intercellular matter acting together to perform
specific functions in the body. There are four basic types of
tissue: muscle, nerve, epithelial, and connective.
Epithelial tissues act as coverings, controlling the movement
of materials across their surface. Connective tissue binds
the various parts of the body together, providing support
and protection. Muscle tissue allows the body to move and
nervous tissues functions in communication.

The diagram shows counter current flow. Describe
why it is important
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
____________________________
Each gill is supported by a gill bar made of bone. Bone tissue is made
of bone cells, collagen and an inorganic component. Explain why
bone is described as a tissue and gills are described as organs.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Gaseous Exchange in Fish
Organism Gas How it is kept How it is supplied How thin is it? Transport System How surface area
Exchange moist with oxygen is increased.
Surface
Amoeba Cell surface Surrounded by Water current, 1 cell thick diffusion Large SA not
membrane water diffusion needed as
organism is small.

Mammals Alveoli in Cells in alveoli Breathing Alveoli is 1 Blood containing Millions of tiny air
lungs secrete fluid movements by cell thick haemoglobin dense sacs that are highly
diaphragm muscles network of capillaries folded to facilitate
and intercostal which surround each maximum rate of
muscles. alveolus so there is a diffusion of gases.
large surface area

Flowering Surface of Cells soak up By diffusion through Cell wall and Diffusion
plants cells inside water brought by stomata and air cell membrane Many leaves
the leaf, xylem which spaces. Some plants are extremely present. Also has
stem and forms a thin film also have lenticels thin broad surface.
roots around them. which allow air in.
Fish Lamellae of Surrounded by Water currents and Wall of the Blood containing Each gill is divided
gills water breathing lamellae is 1 haemoglobin and into many tiny thin
movements cell thick dense network of lamellae which are
capillaries in each further subdivided.
lamellae
Activity
Respiration

In addition, glucose is incompletely broken down in anaerobic respiration. Also, in

anaerobic respiration aprx. 150kJ energy is produced in muscle cells and 210kJ in
yeast compared to 2880kJ of energy produced in aerobic respiration in human
tissue.
 EIOIPRNRAST unscramble

Unscramble the following words and state their functions

• RYXALN
• BORIEHLCON
• HYNRXPA
• PLTIIOETSG
• THACARE
• EIOALVL
• AULLREP FLDIU
• NOITSRSL
• HAIDRPMAG
• The human respiratory system is composed of a pair of lungs. These are attached to a system of tubes which
open on the outside through the nostrils. Following are the main structures in the human respiratory
system:

• Nostrils: There two nostrils which converge to form a nasal passage. The inner lining of the nostrils is lined
by hairs and remains wet due to mucus secretion. The mucus and the hairs help in filtering the dust
particles out from inhaled air. Further, air is warmed up when it enters the nasal passage.

• Pharynx: It is a tube like structure which continues after the nasal passage.

• Larynx: This part comes after the pharynx. This is also called the voice box.

• Trachea: This is composed of rings of cartilage. Cartilaginous rings prevent the collapse of trachea in the
absence of air.

• Bronchi: A pair of bronchi comes out from the trachea; with one bronchus going to each lung.

• Bronchioles: A bronchus divides into branches and sub-branches; inside the lung.

• Alveoli: These are air-sacs at the end of bronchioles. Alveolus is composed of a very thin membrane and is
the place where blood capillaries open. This is alveolus; where oxygen mixes with the blood and carbon
dioxide exits from the blood. The exchange of gases; in alveoli; takes place due to pressure differential.
Factors affecting Breathing rate
 Exercise and Respiration

The well trained athlete recovers quicker.

This is because he has stronger muscles,
therefore blood can be pumped faster.
This has several beneficial implications:
• The oxygen carrying capacity of the
blood increases.
• More rapid delivery of oxygen to
tissues.
• He has more efficient lungs due to
deeper breathing.
• There is quicker removal of lactic acid
from muscles.
What’s in Cigarette Smoke?
 Testing for CO2 Presence

In the set up, oil is poured on the

surface of the glucose and yeast
suspension to prevent entry of any
gases that may be present in the
tube.

CO2 will bubble upwards and pass

into the delivery tube.

Lime water (Calcium hydroxide –

Ca(OH)2 ) will turn white or cloudy
if CO2 is present.
 CO2 Production

In the setup, the KOH (potassium hydroxide is used

to remove CO2 from air entering the setup.

Since CO2 is removed, when air is bubbled through

lime water the liquid remains clear.

The gas will pass through the delivery tube and

enter the bottle with the respiring frog.

Since CO2 is a product of respiration, then the gas

that passes into the second container of lime water
will produce a white solution.
Is heat generated by Respiration?

Set up A has germinating seeds that means

that they are respiring.

Setup B has boiled seeds. Are they

respiring?

The temperature seen on the thermometer

of setup A is higher than that of setup B.

This means heat is being generated by the

respiring seeds.
Is Water Produced?

• Cobalt chloride paper can be used to test for water or vapour in

expired air.
• Exhale on a cool a cool surface and place the paper on the
condensed vapour. The blue paper will turn pink if water is
present.
• Anhydrous copper sulphate can be used to test for water as well.
The powder chemical turns from white to blue when water is
present.