Respiration

Aerobic respiration 
Aerobic respiration is defined as chemical reactions in cells that use oxygen to break down
nutrient molecules to release energy. 

The energy released from respiration are used for various things in the body: 

 Muscle contraction 
 Protein synthesis 
 Cell division
 Active transport 
 Growth
 Passage of nerve impulses 
 Maintenance of constant body temperature 

Investigation: Oxygen uptake by respiring organisms 

A simple respirometer is used. An organism is placed in the boiling tube on top of the wire
gauze. A capillary tube connected to the boiling tube is measured against a ruler, and a colored
dye is introduced into it. 
With the starting point of the dye measured, the dye will move towards the boiling tube as the
organism uses up the oxygen in the air. 

The carbon dioxide produced by the organism is eliminated/absorbed by the soda

lime, and therefore does will affect the dye position. 

We can measure the rate of respiration by calculating the distance traveled by the dye and
dividing it by the time it took. 

Investigation: The effect on temperature on rate of respiration

of germinating seeds 

The experimental set up for this experiment is virtually the same before.

Germinating seeds are placed in a boiling tube on a wire gauze. Soda lime is placed at the bottom
(to absorb CO2) and the boiling tube is placed in a water bath of a known temperature (i.e. 30
degrees)
A capillary tube is connected to the boiling tube, with colored dye introduced. The initial
position of the dye is measured against a ruler and as the seeds respire, the dye will move
towards the boiling tube. 

The rate of respiration for that particular temperature (i.e. 30 degrees) is calculated: 

The experiment can be repeated multiple times to calculate and compare the rate of respiration at
different temperatures i.e. 40°C , 50°C, etc. 

Anaerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration is defined as chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient
molecules to release energy without oxygen. 

Anaerobic respiration releases less energy per glucose than aerobic respiration, so it is less
efficient. 

The equation for anaerobic respiration is different between our muscles and yeast: 

 In muscles: 
 Gas Exchange in Humans
Respiratory system 
The respiratory system is a biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used
for gas exchange. 

Gas exchange (in humans) is the delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream, and the
elimination of carbon dioxide from the bloodstream to the lungs.

The air enters the nasal cavity and makes it’s way down the trachea and into the lungs.  The
trachea branches into bronchi, which branches further into bronchioles. 

The trachea is surrounded by cartilage which strengthens and supports the trachea. 

The rib cage (not shown in the diagram) surrounds the lungs and its contents. It acts as
a protective barrier and plays a vital role in inhalation and exhalation. 

At the end of the bronchioles we find alveoli which is the gas exchange surface of the human
respiratory system. The alveoli is the site at which oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide. 
The alveoli have an extremely large surface area for gas exchange, and are surrounded by
numerous capillaries to allow good ventilation with air. 

Inhalation and exhalation 

Inhalation  allows the body to obtain oxygen from air, and exhalation allows the excretion of
carbon dioxide. 

To understand how inhalation and exhalation works, it is important to understand the concept of
thoracic volume i.e. the volume of the thorax. 

Thoracic volume and air pressure

Air will always move from higher air pressure to lower air pressure. 

 When the thorax volume increases it reduces the air pressure inside the thorax (below
atmospheric pressure). Air therefore travels into the body i.e. inhalation 
 When the thorax volume decreases it increases the air pressure inside the thorax (above
atmospheric pressure). Air therefore travels out of the body i.e. exhalation

Thorax is the part of the body of a mammal between the neck and the abdomen

The volume of the thorax is dependent on two factors:

 Position of the rib cage 

 Position of the diaphragm 
Inhalation
During inhalation, the thoracic volume increases to make the air pressure in the thorax to fall
below atmospheric levels, and thus forcing air into the body.

This increase in thoracic volume is due to: 

 Contraction of external intercostal muscles which cause the ribs to move up and out 
 Contract of diaphragm which causes the dome-shape to flatten 

Exhalation
During exhalation, the thoracic volume decreases to make the air pressure in the thorax above
atmospheric levels, and thus forcing air out of the body. 

The decrease in thoracic volume is due to: 

 Relaxation of intercoastal muscles causing the rib cage to move down and in 
 Relaxation of the diaphragm resulting in the original dome-shaped appearance 

 
Air composition 
The air composition of inspired and expired air is different. Inspired air has more oxygen, whilst
expired air has more carbon dioxide (for obvious reasons of respiration). Nitrogen remains
constant as our bodies cannot make use of nitrogen gas. 

The limewater test can confirm the elevated presence of carbon dioxide in expired air. It is a
clear liquid which turns milky when it reacts with carbon dioxide. Blowing into limewater with a
straw will indeed cause it become milky. 

Physical activity on breathing

With physical activity both the rate and depth of breathing increases. 

Exercise means body cells respire more rapidly. More carbon dioxide is produced as a result and
the increased carbon dioxide concentration in the blood leads to an increase in blood acidity i.e.
decreased blood pH. 

The brain detects the increased blood acidity and signals for the increase in breathing rate and
depth to allow carbon dioxide to be excreted quicker. It also of course allows oxygen to get to
respiring cells faster as well.