R.

Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

RESPIRATION
S.O. 3.1 Describe the process of aerobic respiration

S.O. 3.2 Distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic respiration

S.O. 3.3 Describe the mechanism of breathing in humans and gaseous exchange in flowering plants

S.O. 3.4 Identify characteristics common to gaseous exchange surfaces

S.O. 3.5 Discuss the effects of smoking

To be able to carry out all the processes needed for life, a cell needs a source of energy. It gets this by
breaking down food molecules to release the stored chemical energy that they contain. This process
is called respiration.

Respiration occurs in all cells of our bodies and is catalysed by enzymes. The energy released is used
to build the energy carrying molecules called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is made from an
organic molecule adenosine, attached to three inorganic phosphate groups. ATP can be broken down
in the cell, losing a phosphate and producing ADP. When this reaction happens, energy is released
and available for the processes that demand energy.

ATP is the ‘energy currency’ of cells. Cells earn ATP as a result of energy-producing reactions and
spend it on reactions requiring energy. Energy released by ATP is used by cells:

● To manufacture complex, biologically important molecules, e.g. protein, DNA.

● For cell growth and repair.

● For cell division.

● In active transport of molecules and ions.

● In contraction of muscle cells to produce movement.

There are two types of respiration:

1. Aerobic respiration

2. Anaerobic respiration
 R. Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

Video: Respiration and Breathing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9BWCnnXOG8

AEROBIC RESPIRATION

Aerobic respiration occurs in most cells. It uses oxygen and takes place in the mitochondria. It always
produces carbon dioxide, water and about 38 ATP molecules per molecule of glucose.

ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION

Anaerobic respiration occurs in some cells. It takes place without oxygen in the cytoplasm of the cells
and produces considerably less energy per molecule of glucose than aerobic respiration.

Anaerobic Respiration in Yeast

Yeast cells carry out anaerobic respiration known as fermentation. It produces ethanol, carbon
dioxide and 2 ATP molecules per molecule of glucose.

Anaerobic Respiration in Muscle Cells

During strenuous exercise when the oxygen supply to muscle cells becomes too low for the demands
of aerobic respiration, the cells begin to respire anaerobically. This produces lactic acid and 2 ATP
molecules per molecule of glucose.
 R. Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

Lactic acid builds up in the muscle cells and begins to harm them causing fatigue and eventually
collapse as they stop contracting. The muscle cells are said to have built up an oxygen debt. This debt
must be repaid directly after exercise by resting and breathing deeply so that the lactic acid can be
respired aerobically.

Anaerobic Respiration in Some Bacteria

Certain bacteria obtain energy by breaking down organic waste, e.g. manure and garden waste,
under anaerobic conditions to produce biogas. Biogas is a mixture of approximately 60% methane,
40% carbon dioxide and traces of other contaminant gases such as hydrogen sulphide.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkqEno1r2jk&t=21s

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION

Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration

Uses oxygen Does not use oxygen

Occurs in the mitochondria of cells Occurs in the cytoplasm of cells

Releases large amounts of energy (38 ATP per Releases small amounts of energy (2 ATP per
glucose molecule) glucose molecule)

Products are always inorganic (e.g. carbon At least one product is organic (e.g. ethanol,
dioxide and water) lactic acid or methane)

Glucose is completely broken down and the Glucose is partially broken down and the organic
products contain no energy products still contain energy

Worksheet: https://www.liveworksheets.com/fl1173070ku

GASEOUS EXCHANGE

For respiration to occur a continuous supply of oxygen is required and the waste product carbon
dioxide needs to be removed since it is toxic in large amounts. Breathing refers to the movements in
animals that bring oxygen to the gaseous exchange surface and remove carbon dioxide from the
surface.

Unicellular organisms which live in water can obtain oxygen and remove carbon dioxide efficiently by
diffusion through its cell membrane. Invertebrates like earthworms, breathe through their skin,
where gaseous exchange occurs along the entire body surface. Insects have a system of internal
tubes which bring oxygen directly to the cells. These living organisms have a large surface area to
volume ratio and thus do not require any special gas exchange system.
 R. Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

Larger animals such as fish and mammals have a small surface area to volume ratio. Their body
surfaces are often thick to protect them and prevent water loss. Such surfaces are not suitable for
gaseous exchange. Vertebrates have special structures such as lungs or gills for gaseous exchange to
occur.

In many animals the gaseous exchange surface forms part of the respiratory system. These surfaces
have several adaptations that makes the exchange of gases as efficient as possible. They all:

● Have a large surface area so that large quantities of gases can be exchanged.

● Are thin so that gases can diffuse through them rapidly.

● Are moist so that gases can dissolve before they diffuse through the surface.

● Have a rich blood supply to quickly transport gases between the surface and the body cells.

THE STRCTURE OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The lungs are enclosed in the chest or thorax by the ribcage and a muscular sheet of tissue called the
diaphragm. The actions of these two structures bring about the movements of air into and out of the
lungs. Joining each rib to the next are two sets of muscles called intercostal muscles. The diaphragm
separates the contents of the thorax from the abdomen. It is not flat, but a shallow dome shape with
a fibrous middle part and muscular edges forming the walls.

When we breathe in, air enters our nose or mouth and passes down the windpipe or trachea. The
trachea splits into two tubes called the bronchi, one leading to each lung. Each bronchus divides into
smaller and smaller tubes called bronchioles, eventually ending at microscopic air sacs, called
 R. Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

alveoli. It is here that gas exchange with the blood takes place. The walls of the trachea and bronchi
contain rings of cartilage. These support the airways and keep them open when we breathe in.

The inside of the thorax is separated from the lungs by two thin, moist membranes called the pleural
layers. They make up a continuous envelope around the lungs, forming an airtight seal. Between the
two layers is a space called the pleural cavity, filled with a thin layer of liquid called pleural fluid. This
acts as lubrication, so that the surfaces of the lungs don’t stick to the inside of the chest wall when
we breathe.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRv5tNCMpyY

Gas Exchange in the Alveoli

There are thousands of alveoli in the lungs and are the sites of gaseous exchange. The walls of the
alveoli are only one cell thick and are permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide. Elastic fibres are also
present in the walls of the alveoli that allow it to expand and recoil easily during breathing.

Gaseous exchange at the alveoli takes place by diffusion. Atmospheric air breathed into the alveoli of
the lungs has a higher oxygen and lower carbon dioxide concentration than the blood in the
capillaries surrounding each alveolus. Thus, oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse down this
concentration gradient.

Oxygen in the alveoli dissolves in the moisture lining the alveolar walls and diffuses into the blood in
the surrounding capillaries. Oxygen combines with the haemoglobin present in red blood cells and is
transported to respiring cells in the body. Carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood in the capillaries
and into the alveoli.

The alveoli are adapted for efficient gaseous exchange in the following ways:
 R. Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

● The numerous alveoli in the lungs provide a large surface area for gaseous exchange.

● Their walls are only one cell thick to allow rapid gaseous exchange.

● Their walls have a thin film of moisture so that gases can dissolve in it and diffuse easily
across the walls.

● They are surrounded by capillaries to maintain the concentration gradient of gases for
diffusion to occur.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzrN6sJ1i_g

The Mechanism of Breathing

In a vertebrate, the rib cage is a set of bones which forms a protective cage around the organs of the
upper body, especially the heart and lungs. It is attached to the vertebral column (spine) and sternum
(chest bone). Humans have 24 ribs arranged as 12 pairs. Between the ribs are muscles, called
intercostal muscles. There are two sets: the external intercostal muscle and the internal intercostal
muscle, which work as antagonistic muscles. This means that when the external intercostal muscles
contract, the internal intercostal muscles will relax, and vice versa.

The ribs, intercostal muscles and diaphragm play an important part in gaseous exchange as they help
in moving air in and out of the lungs. Movement of air occurs from a region of higher air pressure to
lower air pressure. Owing to changes in volume of the thorax, the air pressure in the lungs becomes
different from the atmospheric pressure. The difference in air pressures causes the movement of air
in and out of the lungs.

Features Inhalation (inspiration) Exhalation (expiration)

External intercostal muscle Contract Relax

Internal intercostal muscle Relax Contract

Ribs and sternum Move upwards and outwards Move downwards and inwards
 R. Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

Diaphragm Moves downwards or flattens Domes upwards

Volume inside thorax and lungs Increases Decreases

Pressure inside thorax and Decreases Increases

Movement of air Into the lungs due to decrease Out of the lungs due to increase
in pressure in pressure

As the air is drawn in during inhalation, it is warmed in the nasal passages and cleaned and
moistened by mucus lining the nasal passages and trachea. The mucus is moved to the throat by cilia
lining the nasal passages and trachea and is swallowed. The air passes through the bronchi and
bronchioles and enters the alveoli where gaseous exchange occurs.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPovpAXcmIU

Comparison of inhaled air and exhaled air

Component Inhaled Air Exhaled Air

Oxygen 21% 17%

Carbon dioxide 0.03% 4%

Nitrogen 79% 79%

Water vapour Variable Saturated

Temperature Room temperature Body temperature (about 37oC)

Dust particles Variable Absent

Gaseous Exchange in a Fish

Gaseous exchange occurs in the gills of a fish. A bony fish has four gills at each side of its head. Each
gill has two rows of long, thin, finger-like projections called gill lamellae. The walls of the gill lamellae
form the gaseous exchange surface. Each lamella:

● Has a wall that is one cell thick.

● Is moist since it has water passing over it as the fish breathes.

● Has a dense network of capillaries down the centre.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds04BA9DIu8

Gaseous Exchange in Flowering Plants

Gaseous exchange occurs in the leaves, stems and roots of plants by direct diffusion between the
intercellular air spaces and all the cells in these organs that are in direct contact with the air spaces.
Gases diffuse between the atmosphere and the air spaces through the stomata of leaves. The walls
and membranes of all the cells inside the leaves, stems and roots of plants form the gaseous
exchange surface.

Movement of gases into and out of photosynthesising organs, mainly leaves, depends on the time of
the day. The rate of respiration remains almost constant throughout the day and night, but the rate
of photosynthesis changes.

During the night, only respiration occurs. Oxygen diffuses in and carbon dioxide diffuses out. As dawn
approaches, photosynthesis begins and its rate gradually increases. The compensation point is
reached when the rate of photosynthesis equals the rate of respiration. At this point, there is no net
 R. Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

movement of gases in or out of leaves. During the day, the rate of photosynthesis is greater than the
rate of respiration. Carbon dioxide diffuses in and oxygen diffuses out. At about dusk, a second
compensation point occurs as the rates of photosynthesis and respiration becomes equal once more.

EFFECTS OF SMOKING

Cigarettes

Smoke from tobacco cigarettes contains several thousand different chemicals including nicotine, tar
and carbon monoxide. Cigarette smoking poses serious health risks including:

● Nicotine addiction – nicotine is an addictive substance that leads to more smoking and
makes it extremely difficult to stop. Nicotine is also toxic and continued inhalation decreases
appetite, increases heart rate and blood pressure, and increases the risk of a stroke and
osteoporosis.

● Reduced oxygen carrying capacity of the blood – carbon monoxide combines more readily
with haemoglobin than oxygen does, which reduces the amount of oxygen carried to body
cells. This reduces respiration and the smoker’s ability to exercise. In a pregnant woman, it
deprives the foetus of oxygen, reducing growth and development.

● Persistent cough – cigarette smoke causes mucus production to increase and the cilia to stop
beating. Persistent coughing occurs to try and remove the extra mucus.

● Chronic bronchitis – chronic bronchitis develops when cigarette smoke irritates and inflames
the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles. This, together with the increased mucus
production, causes the airways to become obstructed making breathing difficult.

● Emphysema – emphysema develops when cigarette smoke causes the walls of the alveoli to
become less elastic and the walls between the alveoli to break down which decreases their
surface area. This reduces gaseous exchange, making exhaling difficult and causes air to
remain trapped in the lungs. The bronchioles often collapse when exhaling, obstructing the
airways, making exhaling even harder.
 R. Boodram
Topic 7 - Respiration

● Cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus or lungs – tar and about 60 other chemicals in
cigarette smoke are carcinogenic. These cause cancerous tumours to develop in the
respiratory system which replace normal, healthy tissue.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y18Vz51Nkos

Marijuana

Marijuana is one of the most widely used illegal drugs in the world. It is usually smoked and
long-term use can lead to similar health problems as tobacco smokers, mainly:

● Persistent cough

● Bronchitis

● Frequent acute lung infections due to marijuana reducing the body’s ability to fight infection

● Lung cancer

● Marijuana addiction