Lungs & Gas Exchange

This lesson covers:

  1. Why gas exchange is so important 
  2. The structure of the lungs, including trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli
  3. How alveoli are adapted for gas exchange 
  4. How to calculate breathing rate 
Illustration of the human lungs and trachea.

Which organ system are the lungs part of?

Respiratory system

Immune system

Reproductive system

Circulatory system 

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Illustration of the lungs with labels indicating different parts, including a single bronchus.

Which letter indicates a single bronchus?

(The plural of bronchus is 'bronchi')

A

B

C

D

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Diagram showing the lungs with labelled parts including a single alveolus.

Which letter indicates a single alveolus?

(The plural of alveolus is 'alveoli')

A

B

C

D

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Diagram of lung anatomy highlighting a single bronchiole.

Which letter indicates a single bronchiole?

(The plural of bronchiole is 'bronchioles')

A

B

C

D

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Which structures connect the bronchi to the alveoli?

Oesophagus 

Diaphragm 

Trachea 

Bronchioles 

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What are the tiny air sacs in the lungs called?

Alveoli

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What is the name of the process by which oxygen moves through the wall of the alveoli, into the blood?

Active transport 

Diffusion

Osmosis

Mass transport 

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How are alveoli adapted for efficient gas exchange?

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Which gas diffuses from the blood in the capillaries, into the air in the alveoli?

Oxygen 

Carbon dioxide 

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oxygen / carbon dioxide / hydrogen


passes down its concentration gradient from the alveoli, into the bloodstream. 

Oxygen

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Illustration of red blood cells showing their structure.

Which substance inside red blood cells does oxygen bind to?

Insulin 

Antibodies 

Urea

Haemoglobin 

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True or false? Carbon dioxide is transported around the body dissolved in the blood plasma. 

True

False

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A boy has a breathing rate of 14 breaths per minute. How many breaths will he take in 30 seconds?

7

breaths

breaths

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While running for 5 minutes, a woman takes 115 breaths. 


What is her breathing rate for the 5 minute period? 

23

breaths/min

breaths/min

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