The Alveoli

The role of the alveoli

 these are the air sacs through which gaseous exchange takes place in the
lungs.
 They are numerous and their large surface area is good for intake of
oxygenated air and expulsion of deoxygenated air.
 The lining of the alveoli is semi permeable(allowing air only to pass
through).
 Capillaries surrounding the alveolus contain less oxygen than present in
the air sac, thus oxygen diffuse through into the capillaries.
 Carbon dioxide is more in the capillaries than in the air sacs, thus diffuse
through into the air sacs.

Functions of parts of the respiratory system.

1. VOICE BOX
-Is held open by the trachea to allow passage of air
2. TRACHEA
- Is a cartilage structure
- Lining has cilia which are in constant motion and traps dust and dirt
- It also helps in moisturising air

Notes compiled by M. MLILO “TO GOD BE THE GLORY” Page 40

 3. BRONCHUS AND BRONCHIOLES
- Channels air to and from the alveoli
- Containing mucus and cilia to trap dust an micro organisms

4. ALVEOLI
- These are small thin walled semi permeable air sacs
- They are numerous and provide a large surface area for gaseous
exchange; this ensures that sufficient oxygen is obtained.

5. Ribs
- Protect lungs
- Are raised during inhalation and lowered to reduce volume and expel
waste gases during exhalation

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INHALED AND EXHALED AIR

SUBSTANCE INHALED AIR EXHALED AIR

OXYGEN 20% 16%
CARBON DIOXIDE 0.03% 4%
WATER Usually dry Usually moist(high)
TEMPERATURE Lower than exhaled air Higher than inhaled
NITROGEN 79% 79%
GERMS Has Usually does not have
DUST PARTICLES Has Does not have
1 EXPERIMENT

COMPARING INHALED AND EXHALED AIR

MATERIAL

-Beakers, small pipes, limewater

Notes compiled by M. MLILO “TO GOD BE THE GLORY” Page 41

METHOD

-BLOW IN AND OUT THROUGH THE PIPE

RESULTS

-The limewater in ‘A’ turn milky white and in ‘B’ remains the same.

CONCLUISION

-carbon dioxide is present in ‘A’, thus inhaled air has carbon dioxide

RESPIRATION

-The process whereby glucose is broken down to release energy in the presence
of oxygen.

-Occurs inside the cells of living organisms, during the process, carbon dioxide
and water are released.

WORD EQUETION

GLUCOSE+OXYGEN CARBONDIOXIDE+WATER+HEAT ENERGY

-the process is known as aerobic respiration

-the energy produced is used for moving and other activities

-oxygen is used up and carbon dioxide released.

2. EXPERIMENT

Notes compiled by M. MLILO “TO GOD BE THE GLORY” Page 42

-WHICH GAS IS RELEASED DURING RESPIRATION

MATERIALS

-small animal e.g. rat, frog; limewater; three test tubes; potassium hydroxide;
glass/rubber tubing

METHOD

-Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram

-the apparatus compare the amount of carbon dioxide in inhaled and exhaled air

DIAGRAM

RESULTS

-limewater in ‘B’ turned milky white and that in ‘A’ remained clear

CONCLUISION

-limewater in ‘B’ turned milky white because the carbon dioxide concentration is
high.

Notes compiled by M. MLILO “TO GOD BE THE GLORY” Page 43

COMPARING RESPIRATION AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS

RESPIRATION PHOTOSYTHESIS
Catabolic-carbohydrates are broken Anabolic- carbohydrates are
down. manufactured
Oxygen is taken in Oxygen is taken in
Carbon dioxide is given off Carbon dioxide is taken in
Energy is released Energy is absorbed and stored
3 EXPERIMENT

TO SHOW THAT HEAT IS PRODUCED DURING RESPIRATION

MATERIAL

-two thermo flasks; germinating seeds; cotton wool; thermometers

METHOD

1. Divide the germinating seeds into two equal sets

2. Boil one set and disinfect it
3. Place the two sets of seeds and thermometers into the thermo flasks
4. Record temperature at the beginning and after 30 minutes

RESULTS
- The temperature in ‘A’ will be higher than ‘B’ because dead seeds do not
germinate

CONCLUISION

- Germinating seeds produce heat through respiration.

Notes compiled by M. MLILO “TO GOD BE THE GLORY” Page 44