The Breath of Life: Air

-Akshara Sree
 Why is air the breath of life?

~ As we had learnt before, air is a mixture of

nitrogen,oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases
~The diverse composition of air is the reason for life on
earth
~it contains all necessary gases that are required for the
survival of life forms on this planet.
Life sustaining activities supported by air

~Life and growth ~

Air consists one of the main life-sustaining
gas called oxygen. Almost all living things
undergo respiration where they inhale
oxygen to exhale carbon-dioxide. Nitrogen
and Carbon dioxide are also other gases that
are vital for plants and their growth.
Life and growth
Life sustaining activities supported by air

~Photosynthesis and cellular respiration~

Photosynthesis is the process in which green plants use
carbon dioxide to prepare food (glucose) in the
presence of sunlight and release oxygen as a by product
Cellular respiration is the process in which cells use the
oxygen to breakdown the glucose molecule to release
energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
molecules and release carbon-dioxide and water as
waste products. This energy is used for cellular
processes.
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Life sustaining activities supported by air

~Combustion~
Air supports burning or combustion.
Combustion is an oxidation reaction. It is the
process in which a substance (fuel) like coal,
petrol etc,reacts with oxygen to release heat
or thermal energy. This heat is used to
generate electricity which power our homes,
cars and for cooking. Apart from human
activities forest fires are also an example of
combustion
Combustion
Life sustaining activities supported by air

~Temperature Control~
Another important aspect of air is that it
helps in maintaining the temperature on
the earth surface by circulating hot and
cold air. The atmosphere maintains the
temperature on earth because it holds
air which is a bad conductor of heat.
 ~Carbon Dioxide is Fixed~
Despite the above activities, Carbon dioxide is a small
fraction in the atmosphere and is fixed in the environment
in two ways
~Green plants convert carbon dioxide into glucose in the
presence of Sunlight
~ Many marine animals use carbonates dissolved in sea-
water to make their shells.
Sea shells which are made using carbonates dissolved in water
THANK YOU!