Chapter: 11

Gas exchange in humans

Grade: 9 Subject: Biology

BCISE/GR-9/Chapter -11/Bio/08-20
Objective 1:
• List the features of gas exchange surfaces in
humans, limited to
• large surface area,
• Thin surface,
• good blood supply and
• good ventilation with air
The alveoli are adapted to make gas exchange in lungs happen easily and
efficiently. Some features of the alveoli that allow this are as follows:
1. Thin (one cell thick) – shorter distance to allow gases to diffuse across
them quickly
2. moist – allow gases to dissolve. Cells die if not kept moist
3. large surface area- so that lot of gas can diffuse across at the same time
4. Well ventilated-have a concentration gradient across surface so that
oxygen diffuses from the air in the alveoli into the blood
carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood in the alveoli into the air
5. Close to a blood supply- gases can be carried to and from the cells that
need (Oxygen) or produce them (Carbon dioxide)
 Tiny blood vessels called capillaries for efficient gas exchange.
6. Permeable walls - allow gases to pass through.
Adaptation of alveoli and blood capillaries for exchange of gases
Objectives 2:

• Name and identify the lungs, diaphragm, ribs,

intercostal muscles, larynx, trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles, alveoli and associated capillaries
• Name and identify the internal and external
intercostal muscles
Small piece of lung
tissue. The
capillaries have
been injected with
red and blue dye.
The networks
surrounding the
alveoli can be seen
https://
memorang.com/session/116ccc80-064a-4be8-90ee-6b2bbc7d2
d9b https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF9DBxLRGlU
Matching game Exhalation, Inhalation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaqummptKhQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asKr2bqo5Sw
Imp different parts of respiratory system
Air enters the body through the mouth and nose, from here it moves to the pharynx (throat), passes through
the larynx (voice box) and enters the trachea.

The trachea splits into two branches, the left and the right bronchus, each bronchus divides many times into
small branches called bronchioles.

Each bronchiole finally leads to a bunch of tiny air sacs, called alveoli, which inflate during inhalation, and
deflate during exhalation.

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 and out of the body. It takes place in the alveoli.

The walls of the alveoli are surrounded by a network of blood capillaries. In fact the alveoli walls share a membrane with
the capillaries which allows for oxygen to diffuse through the alveoli wall and enter the bloodstream and then travel to the
heart.

At the same time it allows for carbon dioxide to diffuse from the bloodstream into the alveoli and exhaled out of
the body. Both oxygen and carbon dioxide move from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration.
Objective 3:
State the functions of the cartilage in the trachea

Trachea (wind pipe) – tube

that carries air towards the
lungs

C- shaped rings of cartilage

prevent the trachea from
collapsing during inhalation
Objective 4:

Explain the role of the ribs, the internal and

external intercostal muscles and the diaphragm in
producing volume and pressure changes in the
thorax leading to the ventilation of the lungs
Ribs protect the lungs and heart and move to ventilate the lungs.
Role of intercostal muscles and diaphragm:
Ventilation of the lungs

Inhaling
1 The diaphragm muscles contract and pull it down
2 The internal intercostal muscles relax, while the external
intercostal muscles contract and pull the ribcage upwards and
outwards
These two movements make the volume in the thorax
bigger, so forcing the lungs to expand. The reduction in air
pressure in the lungs results in air being drawn in through
the nose and trachea. This movement of air into the lungs
is known as ventilation.
Ventilation of the lungs

Exhaling
1 The diaphragm muscles relax, allowing the diaphragm to return to its
domed shape.
2 The external intercostal muscles relax, while the internal intercostal
muscles contract, pulling the ribs downwards to bring about a forced
expiration.

The lungs are elastic and shrink back to their relaxed volume, increasing the
air pressure inside them. This results in air being forced out again.
Objective 5:

State and explain the differences in composition

between inspired and expired air.
 Inhaled Exhaled Reason
Oxygen 21% 16% Oxygen is absorbed across the gas
exchanged surface, then used by the cells
in respiration

Carbon 0.04% 4% Carbon dioxide is produced inside respiring

dioxide cells, and diffuses across the gas exchange
surface

Water variable Saturated (always Gas exchange surface are made of living
vapour high) cells, so must be kept moist; some of this
moisture evaporate into the air

Nitrogen 78% 78% Not used in respiration

Temperature Variable 37°C Heat is lost from the lung surface.

Objective 6:

Use limewater as a test for carbon dioxide to

investigate the differences in composition
between inspired and expired air
Testing for CO2

To investigate the differences in

composition between inspired and
expired air, we use limewater
because it changes colour when the
gas is bubbled through, from
colourless to milky white.

There is more CO2 present in

expired air;
it makes limewater change colour
more quickly (than inspired air).
Hydrogen carbonate can also be used as
indicator to detect carbon dioxide
Objective 7:

Investigate and describe the effects of physical

activity on rate and depth of breathing
Investigating the effect of exercise on carbon dioxide production
Procedure:
 Half fill two clean boiling tubes with limewater.
 Place a drinking straw in one of the boiling tubes and gently blow into it, with
normal, relaxed breaths.
 Count how many breaths are needed to turn the limewater milky.
 Now exercise for 1 to 2 minutes, e.g. running on the spot.
 Place a drinking straw in the second boiling tube, blowing into it as before.
 Count the number of breaths needed to turn the limewater milky.
Results:
 The number of breaths needed after exercise will be less than before exercise
Interpretation:
 Cells in the body are constantly respiring, even when we are not doing physical
work. They produce carbon dioxide, which is expired by the lungs. The carbon
dioxide turns limewater milky.
 During exercise, cells (particularly in the skeletal muscles) respire more rapidly
producing more carbon dioxide. This turns the limewater milky more rapidly.
Investigating the effect of exercise on carbon dioxide production
Procedure:
 Half fill two clean boiling tubes with limewater.
 Place a drinking straw in one of the boiling tubes and gently
blow into it, with normal, relaxed breaths.
 Count how many breaths are needed to turn the limewater milky.
 Now exercise for 1 to 2 minutes, e.g. running on the spot.
 Place a drinking straw in the second boiling tube, blowing into it
as before.
 Count the number of breaths needed to turn the limewater milky.
Put on your Thinking Caps
• Will there be a difference in the number of Breaths?
• If yes, then which reading will be high?
• If the reading is high, justify. If the Reading is low, Justify
This investigation makes use of an
instrument called a spirometer.
A spirometer has a hinged chamber,
which rises and falls as a person breathes
through the mouthpiece. The chamber is
filled with medical oxygen from a cylinder.
There is a filter containing soda lime,
which removes any carbon dioxide in the
user’s breath, so that it is not rebreathed.
The hinged chamber has a pen attached,
which rests against the paper-covered A spirometer. This instrument
measures the volume of air
drum of a kymograph. This can be set to breathed in and out of the lungs
revolve at a fixed rate so that the trace and can be used to measure
produced by the user progresses across oxygen consumption.
the paper.
Procedure:
• A volunteer is asked to breathe in and out through the mouthpiece and the kymograph is set to revolve
slowly.
• This will generate a trace, which will provide information about the volunteer’s tidal volume and breathing
rate (each peak on the trace represents one breath and the depth between a peak and trough can be used to
calculate the tidal volume). Next, the volunteer is asked to take a deep breath with the mouthpiece removed,
then breathe out through the mouthpiece for one long continuous breath. The depth between the peak and
trough produced can be used to calculate the vital capacity.
• Finally, the volunteer is asked insert the mouthpiece, then run on the spot or pedal an exercise bicycle, while
breathing through the spirometer. The trace produced can be used to compare the breathing rate and depth
during exercise with that at rest. A study of the trace would also show a drop in the trace with time. This can
be used to calculate the volume of oxygen consumed over time.

Results
 Tidal volume is about 0.5ℓ, but tends to appear higher if the person is nervous or influenced by the trace
being created.
 Vital capacity can be between 2.5 and 5.0 litres, depending on the sex, physical size and fitness of the
person.
Spirometer
trace taken
during
exercise
Tidal volume: amount of air during normal, relaxed
breathing

Vital capacity: maximum amount of air breathed in or

out in one breath

During normal breathing:

- depth (tidal volume) : ≈ 0.5ℓ
- rate: 12 breaths/ minute

During exercise:
- depth: ≈ 5ℓ (depending on age, sex, size & fitness of
person)
- rate: over 20 breaths/ minute
Objective 8:

Explain the link between physical activity

and rate and depth of breathing in terms of
the increased carbon dioxide concentration in
the blood, detected by the brain, causing an
increased rate of breathing
Link between physical activity and rate and depth of breathing;
• When you run, muscles in your legs use up a lot of energy.
• Cells in the muscles need a lot of oxygen very quickly.
• Oxygen + glucose combine as fast as they can, to release energy for muscle contraction.
• A lot of Oxygen is needed so you breath deeper and faster to get more oxygen into your
blood.
• Your heart beats faster to get oxygen to the leg muscles as quickly as possible.
• A limit is reached - the heart and the lung can not supply oxygen to the muscles any faster.
• Some extra energy (not much) is produced by anaerobic respiration: some glucose is
broken down without combining with oxygen:
Glucose ---> lactic acid + energy.
• Carbon dioxide and lactic acid concentration in tissue and in the blood increases , blood
pH decreases
• Brain detects the change and sends message via nerve impulses to the diaphragm and the
intercostal muscles, stimulating them to contract harder and more often which results in
faster and deeper breathing.
Objective 9:

Explain the role of goblet cells, mucus and

ciliated cells in protecting the gas exchange
system from pathogens and particles
 Protection of the gas exchange system from pathogens and particles

Pathogens are disease-causing organisms. Pathogens, such as bacteria, and dust

particles are present in the air we breathe in and are potentially dangerous if not
actively removed. There are two types of cells that provide mechanisms to help achieve
this.

• Goblet cells are found in the epithelial lining of the trachea, bronchi

Goblet Cells
and some bronchioles of the respiratory tract. Their role is to secrete
mucus. The mucus forms a thin film over the internal lining. This sticky
liquid traps pathogens and small particles, preventing them from
entering the alveoli where they could cause infection or physical
damage.

•Ciliated cells are also present in the epithelial lining of the respiratory tract.

Ciliated Cells They are in a continually flicking motion to move the mucus, secreted by
the goblet cells, upwards and away from the lungs. When the mucus
reaches the top of the trachea, it passes down the gullet during normal
swallowing.
Checklist

 After studying the Chapter you should know and understand the following:
 Alveoli in the lungs are very numerous, provide a large surface area, have a thin, moist
surface and are well ventilated for efficient gas exchange.
 Alveoli have a good blood supply.
 Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the alveoli takes place by diffusion.
 The blood in the capillaries picks up oxygen from the air
 in the alveoli and gives out carbon dioxide. This is called gaseous exchange.
 The oxygen is carried around the body by the blood and used by the cells for their
respiration.
 The ribs, rib muscles and diaphragm make the lungs expand and contract. This causes
inhaling and exhaling.
 Air is drawn into the lungs through the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles.
 Inhaled air contains a higher percentage of oxygen and a lower percentage of carbon
dioxide and (usually) water vapour than exhaled air.
Continued…
 Limewater is used as a test for the presence of carbon dioxide. It turns milky.
 During exercise, the rate and depth of breathing increase
 Cartilage, present in the trachea, keeps the airway open and unrestricted.
 The diaphragm, internal and external intercostal muscles play a part in ventilation of the
lungs.
 During exercise, the rate and depth of breathing increase. This supplies extra oxygen to
the muscles and removes their excess carbon dioxide.
 Movement of the ribcage and diaphragm results in volume and pressure changes in the
thorax, leading to ventilation of the lungs.
 During physical activity, increases in levels of carbon dioxide in the blood are detected
in the brain, causing an increased rate of breathing.
 Goblet cells make mucus to trap pathogens and particles to protect the gas exchange
system.
 Ciliated cells move mucus away from the alveoli.
Video Links:
1. Alveoli and Gas Exchange Investigations - GCSE Biology (9-1): https
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va3dVs8n9RE

2. GCSE Science Biology (9-1) Gas exchange in the lungs: https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPUPfzsqDgs

3. Mechanism of Breathing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD-HPx_ZG8I

4. Breathing and rate and depth of breathing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_dwZR3LYY8
 Question1

• State how each feature labeled

on the diagram of an alveolus
makes the process of gaseous
exchange efficient.
(5 marks)

• Note: Answer should contain 5

points
Question 2:

a) The composition of the air inside the lungs changes during

breathing.

i) State three differences between inspired and expired air.

[3 marks]

ii) Gaseous exchange in the alveoli causes some of the changes to the
inspired air. Describe three features of the alveoli which assist
gaseous exchange. [3 marks]

Note: 3 points for each sub question

Question 3:

Explain the process of the following:

1)Inhalation
2)Exhalation
[5 marks]