Breathing, Respiration

and
Gaseous Exchange
 Home page - Sections

2. Respiratory
3. Respiration
1. Objectives System & Gaseous
Exchange

4. Comparison of 5. Relationship
Respiration & Between
Breathing Photosynthesis &
Respiration
 Objectives
1. Describe the structure and basic functions of the human
respiratory system.
2. Trace the pathway of oxygen from the atmosphere to the
alveoli.
3. Describe the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
across the alveoli.
4. Describe respiration as the process in which energy is
released from food either in the presence or absence of
oxygen.
 Objectives
5. State that mitochondria are required for aerobic
respiration.
6. Write a simple word equation to describe the process of
aerobic respiration.
7. Explain the importance of energy to organisms.
8. Distinguish between respiration and breathing.
9. Perform/view investigations to identify the products of
aerobic respiration.
 Objectives

10. Compare photosynthesis and respiration and explain how

they are linked.
11. Make observations and present these in a suitable format.
12. Account for factors that cannot be controlled when
working with living materials.
Respiratory
System and
the Pathway
of Air
Use the List Below to
Label the Structures of
the Respiratory System
Diaphragm
Mouth cavity/Oral cavity
Bronchiole
Right Bronchus
Left Bronchus
Larynx
Nasal Cavity
Lung
Alveoli
Pharynx
Trachea
 Respiratory
System

(Interactive Link)
Note the
Role of
the
Epiglottis
Respiratory System - Structure and Function
Nasal cavity - contains hairs that filter and mucus that traps dust
and small particles and organisms out of the inhaled air. Air is also
warmed as it passes through the nasal cavity.

Pharynx - the space at the back of the throat

Epiglottis - prevents food and liquids from entering the respiratory

tract

Larynx - also called the voice box, produces sounds as air passes
across it.

Trachea - (also called the windpipe) is a narrow tube held open by

cartilage rings
Respiratory System - Structure and Function
Bronchus - splits off from the trachea (one bronchus enters the left lung,
the other enters the right lung). Both bronchi are held open by cartilage
rings.

Bronchioles - narrow tubes that branch from each bronchus. These

bronchioles reach into all areas of the lungs. These are also held open by
cartilage rings.

Alveoli - small air sacs found at the end of each bronchiole. (They
resemble a cluster of grapes.) Each alveolus is wrapped around by
capillaries. Gaseous exchange occurs here.

Cillia - hair-like structures that beat upwards to push mucus out of the
respiratory system. Cillia are found in the trachea and bronchi.
Respiratory System - Structure and Function

Diaphragm - a muscular sheet that separates the thoracic cavity

(chest cavity) from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm helps in
breathing.

Lungs - made of muscle and filled with air. There are two lungs (left
and right lung). The left lung is slightly smaller than the right to
accommodate the heart (which is slightly on the left side of the chest
cavity). The lungs are responsible for pulling air into the body and
removing air from the body.

Rib cage - surrounds the thoracic cavity protecting the lungs and
heart from damage
Respiratory System - Structure and Function
Intercostal muscles - muscles on the ribs that assist in breathing

Pleural membrane - thin and tough membrane that surrounds each

lung. Another sheet of pleural membrane lines the rib cage.

Pleural fluid - fills the space between both sheets of pleural

membrane. This fluid lubricates both sheets preventing them from
tearing during the breathing process.
Trace the Pathway of Air as it Enters the Nostrils
Until It Reaches the Alveoli
Alveoli (air sacs) - Site of gaseous exchange
Internal Structure of an Alveolus
Q1.
Why do you think
there is a layer of
moisture lining
the inside of the
alveolus?

Q2.
What do you
think is the
benefit of the
alveolus wall and
the capillary wall
each being ONE
cell thick?
Functions of the Internal Structures of the Alveolus

Alveolar wall - one cell thick and made of a flattened cell. This
reduces the distance gases have to travel across the membrane.

Layer of moisture - a thin layer of moisture lines the inside of the

alveolus. This allows gases entering the alveolus to dissolve in the
moisture and then diffuse across the membrane.

Alveolar airspace - space in the alveolus where gases pass through

before and after gaseous exchange

Capillary - narrow blood vessel that wraps around the exterior of the
alveolus. The wall of the capillary is ONE cell this to allow for ease of
diffusion.
Percentage of Gases in Air
Examine the concentrations of gases below. Calculate the
percentage change for each gas.
Gas % in % in Exhaled % Change
Atmosphere Air

Oxygen 21 16

Carbon dioxide 0.04 4

Nitrogen 78 79

Other gases 1 1
(mostly argon,
Ar)
Diffusion Again!
Predict the movement of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the
alveolus below.
Check your
response!
Gaseous
Exchange
Across an
Alveolus -
(movement of
CO2 and O2
across the
alveolar
membrane)
Respiration
Respiration
Respiration is the release of energy from food. All organisms need
energy to do work. Work may include: movement, growing, breathing,
digestion, thinking etc.

Respiration occurs inside cells (not in lungs). There is one organelle

that is responsible for carrying out respiration.

There are TWO types of respiration:

Aerobic Respiration and Anaerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to release energy from glucose.

Anaerobic respiration does not use oxygen to release energy from

glucose.
Watch the
video. From
it: define
respiration,
list its
products and
explain why
it is
necessary
for life.
Which organelle does aerobic respiration occur in?
Which organelle does aerobic respiration occur in?

Mitochondrion
Aerobic respiration
Aerobic respiration occurs in the mitochondria inside plant and
animal cells.

Word Equation for Aerobic Respiration

Glucose + Oxygen Energy + Water + Carbon dioxide

Reactants Main Product Waste products

Chemical Equation for Aerobic Respiration

C6H12O6 + 6O2 Energy + 6H2O + 6CO2

Experiment
Identifying
a Product
of
Respiration
 Respiration and Breathing Compared

versus

What differences do you observe? Are there any

similarities?
 Respiration and Breathing Compared

Respiration Breathing
Occurs in a cell’s mitochondria Occurs in lungs
Involves a chemical reaction Involves diffusion of
between substances substances
New substances are made No new substances are made
Energy is released Energy is not released
 Relationship
Between
Photosynthesis
& Respiration
Relationship Between Photosynthesis &
Respiration
Word equation for Photosynthesis
light
Water + Carbon dioxide Glucose + Oxygen

Word equation for Aerobic Respiration

Glucose + Oxygen Energy + Water + Carbon dioxide

The products of photosynthesis are the reactants (raw materials)

for aerobic respiration. The products of aerobic respiration are
the reactants (raw materials) for photosynthesis. Both chemical
reactions rely on and benefit the other.
Experiment!

1. Sit quietly for 3 minutes. Count the number of breaths you take in a
minute by placing the palm of your hand on your chest observing the
movement of your chest or simply count how many times you inhale.
2. Repeat two more times and find the average number of breaths per
minute.
3. Take turns to run vigorously on the spot for 3 minutes then immediately
count the number of breaths taken in a minute.
4. Combine class results to construct a table to record the breathing rates
before and after exercise.
5. Plot a suitable graph using the data in the table.
6. Explain the results.
As a class, brainstorm how gender, state of health and different types of
activity can affect breathing.
 Anaerobic respiration
This releases ENERGY from food without using air (Oxygen).

Anaerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm of cells (not in the

mitochondrion).

Plants, animals and fungi carry out anaerobic respiration. They all produce
energy (in the form of ATP), but they also produce other chemicals.

Word Equation (Anaerobic Respiration in Plants and Yeast)

Glucose Energy + Ethanol + Carbon dioxide

Word Equation (Anaerobic Respiration in Animals)

Glucose Energy + Lactic acid

 Anaerobic
Respiration

- What is it?
- What does
it produce?
- Where
does it
happen?
Anaerobic
Respiration
- Which
organisms
carry out
anaerobic
respiration?
- What are the
products?
- Why is it
used?
- How much
energy does
it produce?