CLASS- VII

RESPIRATION IN ORGANISMS (BIOLOGY)

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

1 Define the term respiration. Describe the steps involved in process of respiration.
Ans-The process of obtaining energy from the food by breaking down into carbon-dioxide
(CO2) and water (H2O) is called respiration. The process of respiration involves two steps –
(a). Breathing – In this step, organisms breathe in oxygen (air) and breathe out carbon-
dioxide. Breathing is also called external respiration.
(b). Cellular respiration- This is also called internal respiration in which food is broken
down into CO2 and H2O in the presence of oxygen (O2) and release large amount of energy.

2. What is aerobic respiration? Write the chemical equation of aerobic respiration.

Ans- When break down of food(glucose) takes place in the presence of oxygen, carbon-
dioxide and water are formed with a release of energy. This type of respiration is called
aerobic respiration.Aerobic respiration can be written in the form of chemical equation –

3. What is anaerobic respiration? Write the chemical equation involved in anaerobic

respiration.
Ans- Breaking down of food in the absence of oxygen to obtain energy is called anaerobic
respiration.Several organisms such as yeast and bacteria can live without oxygen as they
carry out anaerobic respiration.
Anaerobic respiration in yeast- Yeast respire in absence of oxygen and breakdown glucose
into alcohol and carbon-dioxide with the release of very small amount of energy.

Anaerobic respiration in human muscle cells- Anaerobic respiration occurs in the human
body also. Our muscle cells can also respire anaerobically, when there is a temporary
deficiency of oxygen. During heavy exercise, fast running, etc, the demand for energy is
high. But the supply of oxygen to produce the energy is limited. Then anaerobic respiration
takes places in the muscle cells to fulfil the demand of energy:

4 List the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration
(i). It is the process of breakdown of (i). It is the process of breakdown of food in the
food in the presence of oxygen. absence of oxygen.
(ii). Glucose is completely oxidised. (ii). Glucose is partially oxidised.
(iii). End products are CO2 and H2O (iii)End products are either alcohol or lactic acid and
CO2
(iv)Large amount of energy is released (iv) Less amount of energy is released.
(v). Examples- It occurs in most plants (v) Examples – It occurs in yeast, bacteria, human
and animals cells muscle cells , etc
5. Why do we sometimes suffer from muscle cramps while exercising? How can cramps
be overcome?
Ans- During heavy exercise our body demands for a lot of energy but the supply of oxygen
become limited. So, in the absence of oxygen or in limited supply of oxygen , the anaerobic
respiration is performed by the muscles to fulfil the demand of energy . In this case , partial
breakdown of glucose produces lactic acid. The accumulation of lactic acid causes muscle
cramps. The cramps can be overcome by massaging the affected part or having hot water
bath. These methods increase the blood circulation and the supply of oxygen in the body. It
helps in complete breakdown of lactic acid into carbon dioxide and water.

6.How does exchange of gases take place in the following organisms?

(i) Amoeba (ii) Earthworm (iii) Cockroach (iv) Frog (v) Fish
Ans- (i) Amoeba- Exchange of gases occur by diffusion through its body surface.
(ii) Earthworm- Earth uses its moist skin for the exchange of gases.
(iii) Cockroach- In cockroach, respiration occurs through many small pores present on
the sides of its body. These pores are called spiracles. Oxygen rich air rushes through
spiracles into narrow tubes called trachea. Tracheal tubes carry the oxygen to different
parts of the body. Carbon-dioxide diffuses out through the trachea and exit through
spiracles.
(iv) Frog- Frog uses its moist skin for the exchange of gases when in water and uses its
lungs when on land.
(v) Fish- Fish have gills for exchange of gases.

7. Describe human respiratory system with the help of labelled diagram. How does
exchange of gases take place in human lungs?
Ans -Main organs of human respiratory system are – Nasal cavity, Trachea, Bronchi and lungs
(a)Nasal cavity- Air enters the nasal cavity through nostrils.
(b)Trachea- This tube-like structure allows the air to enter in the lungs.
(c) Bronchi- Trachea branches into two tubes called bronchi which enter into lungs
(d) Lungs- Two lungs are present in chest cavity surrounded by double membraneous layer
called pleura. Inside each lung the bronchus branches in smaller tubes called bronchioles. Each
bronchiole terminates in a sac like structure called alveoli. Alveoli are surrounded by blood
vessels. Here, exchange of gases between blood and air sacs takes place. The oxygen present
in the breathed air enters the blood present in blood vessels and carbon dioxide present in the
blood goes out into the alveoli.
8. Define – (i) Inhalation (ii) Exhalation (iii) Breathing rate (iv) Diaphragm
(i) Inhalation- The taking in of the air rich in oxygen into the body is called inhalation
(ii) Exhalation- The giving out of air rich in carbon-dioxide is called exhalation.
(iii) Breathing rate- The number of times a person breathes in a minute is called his
breathing rate. Normal breathing rate of an adult human being during rest is 15-18.
(iv) Diaphragm- A muscular structure present at the floor of chest cavity is called
diaphragm.

9. Explain the mechanism of gaseous exchange in humans.

Breathing involves the movement of the diaphragm and the rib cage.
During inhalation, ribs move up and outwards and diaphragm moves down. This movement
increases space in our chest cavity and air rushes into the lungs. The lungs get filled with air.
During exhalation, ribs move down and inwards, while diaphragm moves up to its former
position. This reduces the size of the chest cavity and air is pushed out of the lungs.