OXYGEN IS NEEDED IN RESPIRATION

Air

is one of the main resources on earth rich in oxygen. All living cells required oxygen to carry out its daily processes. One of the process called respiration. Respiration is the process whereby our body obtains energy from food. Respiration takes place in the cells of our body. Oxygen is needed for respiration to break down food in the form of sugar (glucose) through oxidation.

 Oxidation

is a chemical process which gives out energy and break downs glucose into carbon dioxide and water vapour. This energy comes from the chemical energy stored in glucose. The energy given out is kept in the cell and helps to maintain body temperature at 37oc. CO2 and water vapour are waste products that need to be removed from the body.

Cell respiration is the oxidation of food to obtain energy

 Respiration

is represented by the following equation : carbon dioxide +

Oxygen + glucose water + energy

Respiration

is a living process which takes place continuously in animal cells and plant cells.

Inhalation and exhalation

Living things obtain the O2 needed for respiration through breathing. Breathing involves 2 physical process; inhalation and exhalation. Air which is inhaled into the body called inhaled air. Air which is exhaled from the body is called exhaled air. Inhaled air differs from exhaled air term of its O2, CO2 and water vapour content.

Comparison of inhaled air and exhaled air

The

temperature of exhaled air is higher than of inhaled air. This is because heat energy is released during respiration and a portion of energy is used to carry out daily processes of the organism. Exhaled air also contains a higher content of water vapour.

Procedure - Exhaled air was collected by blowing through a rubber tube into a gas jar filled with water as shown in figure 1 - 2 candles were lighted up and placed inside 2 gas jars as shown in figure 2 - 1 of the candles was placed inside a gas jar containing inhaled air. - The other candle was placed inside a gas jar containing exhaled air. - The flames of the 2 candles were observed.

Activity 1 : To compare the O2 contents in inhaled air and exhaled air

Observation
The

candle in the gas jar containing exhaled air goes out first. The candle in the gas jar containing inhaled air continues to burn for some time before it goes out

INHALED AIR

Similarity
N2 (78%) AND INERTS GAS (1%)

EXHALED AIR

Differences 21 % OXYGEN 16 %

0.03 %

CARBON DIOXIDE

4%

LESS

WATER VAPOUR

MORE

25OC (ROOM TEMP)

TEMPERATURE

37 % (BODY TEMP)

Respiratory organs in humans

The lung is a respiratory organ in humans and other animals when breathing process. Human lungs are located thoracic cavity, protect by-rib cage. The lungs are connected to the nose through the trachea. The trachea branches into 2 bronchi (bronchus). The bronchus branches into smaller tubes called bronchioles. The bronchiole ends with alveolus. The surface of the alveolus allows gas exchange to take place.

RESPIRATORY ORGANS IN HUMAN

Gas exchange in the lung

Gas exchange takes place in the alveolus through simple diffusion. The wall of the alveolus acts as a respiratory surface for the exchange of O2 and CO2. O2 dissolves in the moist alveolus surface and diffuses into the blood capillaries. This O2 will transported from lungs to other cells in the body by the blood. At the same time, CO2 also diffuses out from the blood capillaries into the alveolus. CO2 is exhaled from lungs when we breath out.