The Human Breathing System
1. Distinguish between breathing and respiration.
2. Where do cilia occur in the breathing system? What is their function?
3. State one possible cause of asthma or bronchitis.
4. Give an example of a treatment for asthma or bronchitis.
5. State precisely the events that take place at the alveoli. How are the alveoli adapted for these
events?
6. Breathing rate in humans is controlled by the concentration of a gas dissolved in blood. Which
gas is this?
7. Suggest one way in which a person might adapt his/her lifestyle to minimise the effects of
asthma or bronchitis.
8. The bronchioles end in small sacs. What is the name of these sacs?
9. Name the muscles that are used in breathing.
10. Breathing causes pressure changes in the thoracic cavity. Describe briefly how these pressure
changes are brought about.
11. The trachea contains rings of cartilage. Suggest a function of this cartilage.
12. Name a breathing disorder. Give a possible cause of this disorder and suggest a means of
prevention or treatment.
13. Name the blood vessels that bring this blood back from the lungs.
14. Name a breathing disorder. Name: ___________________ and state:
1. A cause
2. A means of prevention
3. A treatment
15. Describe briefly the role of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles in inhalation.
In your answer refer to volume and thoracic air pressure.
16. Name the process involved in the passage of gas between the alveolus and the blood.
17. Give three ways in which an alveolus is adapted for efficient gas exchange.
18. True or false. Humans receive oxygen from the air they inhale.
19. Apart from water, name one other substance which is found in sweat.
20. State the location in the human body of the following muscles which are used for breathing:
diaphragm, intercostals.
21. How did you measure the breathing rate or the pulse?
22. What is the role of alveoli in the lungs?
23. Name a breathing disorder. Suggest a possible cause of it and state how it may be treated.
24. Name a disorder of the breathing system and say how it may be: 1. Caused, 2. Prevented, 3.
Treated.
25. Which gas, dissolved in the blood, can trigger deeper or faster breathing?
26. In what structures in the lungs does gaseous exchange take place?
27. Give one feature of the alveoli that allows efficient exchange of
gases.
28. What is the function of the larynx?
29. Outline the steps involved in inhalation.
30. Name one disorder of the human breathing system.
31. Give one possible treatment for the disorder referred to above.
32. Answer the following questions about an activity that you carried out to investigate the effect of
exercise on your breathing rate.
(i) The investigation starts by measuring the resting rate. How did you measure the resting rate?
(ii) After measuring your resting rate, what other steps did you carry out to complete the
investigation?
(iii) What was the result of your investigation?
(iv) Does this investigation give the same result for both fit and non-fit people?
(v) Give a reason for your answer.
33. Outline the details of the process of inhalation.
34. Give a feature of a capillary which allows the rapid uptake of carbon dioxide.
35. Carbon dioxide levels are usually higher in venous blood than in arterial blood. Why is this the
case?
36. Briefly outline the role of carbon dioxide in the control of the human breathing rate.
37. When we breathe we inhale air. What gas in the air is essential for respiration?
38. One large muscle and one set of muscles are involved in inhalation. Name both.
39. Describe in detail how we inhale air.
40. Name one disorder of the human breathing system. Suggest a possible cause of the
disorder. Suggest a treatment for the disorder.
41.