Chapter 14 – THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM - Class 9 – CONSICE BIOLOGY -SELINA Page 1 of 13

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: PROGRESS CHECKS

Progress Check 1

Question 1: Given below is the definition of respiration with a few blanks to be filled in. Write suitable words in
the blanks:

Respiration is a process of releasing ............... by breaking down ............... for carrying out ............... processes.

Answer: Respiration is a process of releasing energy by breaking down glucose for carrying out life processes.

Question 2: Write the overall chemical equation representing the above definition of respiration.

Answer:

Question 3: In what form is the energy liberated in respiration?

Answer: The energy liberated in respiration is in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Question 4: Give two examples of life activities which need energy.

Answer:

1. Synthesis of proteins from amino acids

2. Production of enzymes

Progress Check 2

Question 1: State whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F):

1. Strenuous physical exercise may cause fatigue due to accumulation of CO2 in the blood.
2. No CO2 is produced in anaerobic respiration in the human body.
3. Breathing and gaseous transport are one and the same thing.
4. CO2 is transported to the lungs by the blood in two forms: as bicarbonates and as carbamino-
haemoglobin.
5. Tissue respiration means chemical changes occurring inside the cell.

Answer

1. False
Corrected Statement— Strenuous physical exercise may cause fatigue due to accumulation of lactic
acid.
2. True

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3. False
Corrected Statement— Breathing and gaseous transport are first two steps of the four step respiration
process in humans and animals.
4. True
5. False
Corrected Statement— Cellular respiration means chemical changes occurring inside the cell.

Progress Check 3

Question 1: Match the items in Column I with those in Column II

Column I Column II

Nasal chamber Production of voice

Epiglottis C-shaped rings

Air-sacs Warms air

Lungs Drives mucus

Larynx Closes wind-pipe during swallowing

Trachea Network of capillaries

Cilia Spongy and elastic

Answer

Column I Column II

Nasal chamber Warms air

Epiglottis Closes wind-pipe during swallowing

Air-sacs Network of capillaries

Lungs Spongy and elastic

Larynx Production of voice

Trachea C-shaped rings

Cilia Drives mucus

Question 2: How do the following contribute in inspiration during breathing?

1. Ribs
2. Diaphragm

Answer

1. During inhalation, the ribs move upwards and outwards due to contraction of the external intercostal
muscles stretched between them. This enlarges the chest cavity.

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2. The diaphragm flattens, expanding the chest cavity lengthwise. This increases the volume and decreases
the pressure inside the lungs. Air is then drawn in from outside to equalize the pressure.

Question 3: Match the lung capacities in Column I with the quantities given in Column II.

Column I Column II

Residual air 4500 mL

Vital capacity 6000 mL

Total lung capacity 1500 mL

Dead air space 150 mL

Answer

Column I Column II

Residual air 1500 mL

Vital capacity 4500 mL

Total lung capacity 6000 mL

Dead air space 150 mL

Progress Check 4

Question 1: Mention any two points of difference in the quality of inspired and expired air.

Answer

Inspired air Expired air

Contains more oxygen. Contains more carbon dioxide.

Contains less water vapour. Contains more water vapour.

Question 2: Give reasons for:

1. People climbing to high altitudes may suffer from dizziness and unsteady vision.
2. Lime water is used in most experiments on respiration.
3. Respiration rate is higher in animals than in plants.

Answer

1. At higher altitudes, the density of air is less and amount of oxygen is also less. This causes deficiency of
oxygen in the body which further results in dizziness and unsteady vision.
2. Lime water is used in most experiments on respiration as lime water turns milky when it comes in
contact with carbon dioxide. It is thus an easy way to detect carbon dioxide.

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3. Animals lead an active life where physical movement is involved and have complex organ systems that
require constant energy supply. Hence, respiration rate is higher in animals than in plants to meet the
higher energy requirements.

Question 3: Given along side is an experiment intended to demonstrate the action of diaphragm, but some
thing has gone wrong.

What is the mistake in the diagram? Explain.

Answer

The mistake in the diagram is that the balloons are expanded and air is rushing in when the rubber sheet is
pushed upwards. In the correct experiment, when the sheet is pushed upward, the volume is decreased,
pressure inside the jar increases and balloons collapse due to air rushing out.

Very Short Answer Type

Question 1 : Name the following :

(a) The energy currency of the cell. Answer: ATP

(b) The compound formed by the combination of oxygen and haemoglobin. Answer: Oxy-
haemoglobin

(c) The common passage of Oesophagus and Trachea. Answer: Pharynx

(d) The muscles found between the ribs which can change the size of the chest cavity lengthwise.

Answer: Diaphragm

(e) The compound formed by the combination of haemoglobin and carbon dioxide gas.

Answer: Carbamino-haemoglobin

Question 2: Name the body structure concerned with the given functional activity:

(a) Prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing.

Answer: Epiglottis

(b) Transports oxygen to the body cells.

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Answer: Capillaries

(c) Helps to increase the volume of the chest activity lengthwise.

Answer: Diaphragm

(d) Combines with the oxygen in the lungs.

Answer: Bronchioles

(e) Protects the lungs from mechanical injuries.

Answer: Ribs

(f) Provides actual diffusion of respiratory gases in lungs.

Answer: Air sacs / Alveoli

Question 3: Name:

(a) Two kinds of respiration

(b) Two steps of cellular respiration

(c) Two phases of breathing

(d) Two main raw materials for respiration

(e) Two parts of tidal volume

Answer

(a) Aerobic respiration and Anaerobic respiration

(b) Glycosis and Krebs Cycle

(c) Inhalation and Exhalation

(d) Glucose and Oxygen

(e) Dead Air space (150 ml) and Alveolar air (350 ml)

Question 4: Arrange the organs of the human respiratory system in a proper logical sequence:

Bronchi, Lungs, Larynx, Nose, Trachea, Pharynx.

Answer

Nose → Pharynx → Larynx → Trachea → Bronchi → Lungs

Question 5: What is the normal percentage composition of gases in inspired air and expired air
respectively?

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Answer: The following table depicts the gas composition in percentage:

Name of the gas Inspiration Expiration

Oxygen 20.96% 16.4%

Carbon dioxide 0.04% 4%

Nitrogen 79.00% 79.6%

Question 6: Match the items in Column I with the ones most appropriate in Column II. Rewrite the
matching pairs:

Column I Column II

(a) Alveoli (i) where aerobic respiration takes place

(b) Bronchioles (ii) lined with hair

(c) Nasal chamber (iii) diffusion of gases

(d) Bronchi (iv) small air tubes

(v) An inverted Y-shaped tube

(vi) A common passage for food and air

Answer

Column I Column II

(a) Alveoli (iii) diffusion of gases

(b) Bronchioles (iv) small air tubes

(c) Nasal chamber (ii) lined with hair

(d) Bronchi (v) An inverted Y-shaped tube

Short Answer Type

Question 1: Given below is an example of a certain structure and its special functional activity:

"Kidney and excretion"

Fill in the blanks on a similar pattern.

(a) Alveoli and ...............

(b) Mitochondria and ...............

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(c) Epiglottis and ...............

(d) Pleura and ...............

(e) Diaphragm and ...............

(f) 'C' shaped cartilage rings and ...............

Answer

(a) Alveoli and gaseous diffusion.

(b) Mitochondria and cellular respiration.

(c) Epiglottis and swallowing food.

(d) Pleura and protection of the lungs.

(e) Diaphragm and breathing.

(f) 'C' shaped cartilage rings and support and strengthen trachea.

Question 2: Match the items in Column A with those in Column B.

Column A Column B

Cartilaginous Epiglottis

Large surface area Diaphragm

Breathing movements Bronchi

Voice Alveoli

Complemented air larynx

Swallowing Extra inhalation

Answer

Column A Column B

Cartilaginous Bronchi

Large surface area Alveoli

Breathing movements Diaphragm

Voice Larynx

Complemented air Extra inhalation

Swallowing Epiglottis

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Question 3: State one function of each of the following:

(a) Ciliated epithelium lining the respiratory tract

(b) Mitochondria

(c) Diaphragm

(d) Intercostal muscles

(e) Pleural fluid

Answer

(a) Ciliated epithelium lining the respiratory tract — The entire lining of the larynx, trachea,
bronchi and bronchioles is formed of ciliated epithelium. It is the protective inner lining of the
respiratory passage. It helps in motion, driving any fluid that is on them.

(b) Mitochondria — In mitochondria, pyruvic acid is further broken down step by step in a cyclic
manner in the presence of oxygen.

(c) Diaphragm — Diaphragm contributes to the enlargement of the chest cavity lengthwise.

(d) Intercostal muscles — The muscles help the inward and outward movement of ribs enlarging the
chest cavity all around.

(e) Pleural fluid — It provides lubrication for free movement of the contracting and expanding lungs.

Question 4: Under what conditions would the breathing rate increase?

Answer: Breathing rate can increase under the following circumstances:

1. Accumulation of carbon dioxide in blood.

2. Vigorous physical exercise.

Question 5: How would you prove that the air you breathe out is warmer?

Answer: During breathing, the air expelled out is always warmer or at the body temperature. It can
be felt by breathing out the air on our own hand. One can feel the warmth of the air expelled out
during breathing.

Question 6: How is the respiratory passage kept free of dust particles?

Answer: The nasal cavity is lined by ciliated epithelium and mucous glands. The mucous glands
secrete mucous. The ciliated epithelium is present on the entire lining of the trachea, larynx,
bronchioles and bronchi. The constant motion of cilia and mucous trap dust, micro-organisms, pollen
and other minute particles present in the air. In this way, the respiratory passage is kept free of dust
particles.

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Question 7: What is wrong in the statement "We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon
dioxide"?

Answer: We inhale air containing much oxygen and very little carbon dioxide and exhale air
containing less of oxygen and more of carbon dioxide. Therefore, the statement “We breathe in
oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide” is wrong.

Question 8: Write the balanced chemical equations for the following:

(a) Aerobic respiration

(b) Anaerobic respiration in plants

(c) Anaerobic respiration in animals

(d) Photosynthesis

(e) Phosphorylation

Answer

Question 9: Define:

(a) Respiration

(b) Hypoxia

(c) Asphyxiation

(d) Breathing

(e) Vital capacity

Answer

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(a) Respiration — Respiration is the biochemical process of releasing energy by breaking down
glucose for carrying out life processes.

(b) Hypoxia — Hypoxia is the deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissue. It may occur due to over
crowding with poor ventilation or at high altitudes.

(c) Asphyxiation — Asphyxiation is a condition in which the blood becomes more venous by
accumulation of more carbon dioxide and the oxygen supply is diminished.

(d) Breathing — Breathing is a physical process in which the atmospheric air is taken in and forced
out of the oxygen-absorbing organs, the lungs.

(e) Vital capacity — Vital Capacity is defined as the volume of air that can be taken in and expelled
out by maximum inspiration and expiration. It is 4500 ml.

Long Answer Type

Question 1: Differentiate between the following pairs on the basis of the aspect given in the
brackets.

(a) Aerobic and anaerobic respiration (end products of the process)

(b) Respiration and photosynthesis (gas released)

(c) Photosynthesis and respiration (reactants)

(d) Respiration and breathing (organs involved)

(e) Tidal volume and residual volume (quantity of air)

Answer

(a) Aerobic and anaerobic respiration (end products of the process)

Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration

Carbon dioxide, water, ATP, Heat energy Lactic acid, ATP, heat energy

(b) Respiration and photosynthesis (gas released)

Respiration Photosynthesis

Carbon dioxide Oxygen

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(c) Photosynthesis and respiration (reactants)

Photosynthesis Respiration

Water, carbon dioxide, sunlight Glucose (with/without oxygen)

(d) Respiration and breathing (organs involved)

Respiration Breathing

Lungs, bronchi, alveoli Nasal cavity, trachea, diaphragm

(e) Tidal volume and residual volume (quantity of air)

Tidal volume Residual volume

500 mL 1500 mL

Question 2: Give suitable explanations for the following:

(a) Breathing through the nose is said to be healthier than through the mouth.

(b) Why does gaseous exchange continue in the lungs even during expiration?

(c) Why does a person feel breathlessness at higher altitudes?

(d) Why do you shiver and why do your teeth chatter when it is very cold in winter?

Answer

(a) Breathing through the nose is said to be healthier than through the mouth because the external
part of the nose bears two nostrils separated by a cartilaginous septum. The hairs present in the
nostrils prevent large particles from entering the respiratory system. So, always breathe through the
nose and not through the mouth.

(b) Gaseous exchange continue in the lungs even during expiration because expiration is the result of
reverse movements of the ribs and diaphragm. As a result of the movements of the ribs and the
diaphragm, the thoracic cavity is diminished and the lungs are compressed, forcing the air out into the
atmosphere.

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(c) A person feel breathlessness at higher altitudes because as we go higher up, the air we breathe in
decreases in pressure accompanied by a gradual decrease in oxygen content.

(d) We shiver and our teeth chatter when it is very cold in winter in order to increase the heat
production in the body. To maintain the temperature of the body constant in extremely cold
conditions, the production of heat is increased through heightened metabolic rate and greater
muscular activity and shivering and teeth chattering involves a lot of muscular activity.

Question 3: With regard to the respiratory system and the process of respiration in man, answer the
following questions:

(a) Name the two muscles that help in breathing.

(b) Briefly describe how the above mentioned muscles help in the inspiration of air.

(c) Give the overall chemical equation to represent the process of respiration in humans.

(d) What is meant by:

1. Residual air
2. Dead air space

Answer

(a) The two muscles that help in breathing are — intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles.

(b) When the intercostal muscles stretch between the ribs, they move outwards and inwards causing
them to enlarge the chest cavity.

(c) The overall chemical equation for the process of respiration in humans is as given below:

(d) The meanings of Residual air and Dead air space are as follows:

1. Residual Air — Even after forcibly breathing out, some air always remains in the lungs. This air
is referred to as residual air. The volume of this air is 1500mL.
2. Dead air space — Some tidal air is remaining in the respiratory passages such as bronchi and
trachea. Here no gas diffusion takes place. This volume is referred to as dead air space and its
volume is 150mL.

Question 4: Starting from the nostrils, trace the path in sequence which the transpired air takes until
it reaches the air sacs.

Answer: The path taken by the transpired air through the nostrils until it reaches the air sacs is as
follows:

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Nose → Pharynx → Larynx → Trachea → Bronchi

Question 5: What are the functions of the following in breathing?

(a) Ribs

(b) Diaphragm

(c) Abdominal muscles

Answer

(a) Ribs — The ribs move upwards and outwards due to the contraction of the external intercostal
muscles stretched between them thus enlarging the chest cavity all around. (The internal intercostal
muscles are relaxed).

(b) Diaphragm — The diaphragm contracts and flattens from the dome shaped outline to an almost
horizontal plane and thus contributes to the enlargement of the chest cavity lengthwise.

(c) Abdominal muscles — It helps to increase the size of the thoracic cavity through the motion of the
diaphragm which assists in inspiration.

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