Biology 20 – Textbook In-text Answer Keys: Chapter 7

Student Textbook page 245

Q1. The main function of the human respiratory system is to ensure that oxygen is brought to each cell in the body and
that carbon dioxide can leave each cell and be removed from the body.

Q2. External respiration is the process by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and the
blood, while internal respiration is gas exchange that occurs between the body’s tissue cells and the blood.

Student Textbook page 246

Q3. The structures of the upper respiratory tract are: paired nostrils → nasal cavity (turbinate bones) → pharynx →
larynx → trachea. Students may also include the epiglottis and the glottis.

Q4. Mucus moistens the air before it enters the respiratory tract and helps to clean the air by trapping foreign particles,
such as dust or bacteria. Ciliated cells move the debris back up into the nose and throat. The foreign material can then
be expelled by coughing or sneezing.

Student Textbook page 247

Q5. This is a suitable metaphor because each bronchus branches into 2 bronchioles, which then branch into 4
bronchioles, and then 8 bronchioles, and so on.

Section 7.1 Review Answers - Student Textbook page 248

1. Respiration is the overall process that provides oxygen to the cells in the body and removes carbon dioxide from the
body. The respiratory system must have a large enough surface area for the efficient exchange of gases to meet the
body’s needs.

2. There are a number of requirements for respiration: (a) A large surface area across which oxygen and carbon dioxide
diffuse rapidly enough to meet the body’s needs is required. (b) Because the porous membrane across which gas
exchange occurs consists of living cells, it must be moist. The oxygen and carbon dioxide gases are dissolved in water.
(Dead dry membranes like the outer skin are not permeable to these gases.) (c) There must be a large diffusion gradient
between the concentrations of the gases on either side of the respiratory surface to maintain diffusion rates high
enough to meet the body’s needs.

3. (a) breathing—involves inspiration during which air moves from the surrounding environment into the spaces inside
the lungs. During expiration, air moves from the lung spaces back into the surrounding environment. (b) external
respiration—the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the blood across the membranes in the
lungs (c) internal respiration—the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the internal tissues
across capillary and cell membranes. (d) cellular respiration—the series of energy-releasing chemical reactions that take
place inside the cells. It provides ATP for all cellular activities.

4. Structures of the upper respiratory tract (see table on right):

5. The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that lies behind the tongue

and in front of the larynx. The epiglottis closes over the glottis
when a person swallows and prevents food or drink from
entering the trachea. If the epiglottis did not function properly,
food or liquids could enter the trachea, causing choking.

6. When you have a cold, more mucus is secreted in the cells

lining the respiratory system. Coughing is a way to expel the
excess mucus from the body. Cough medicine may reduce the
amount you cough, which could allow for a build-up of mucus in
the respiratory tract. Many cough medications may also make you sleepy.
 Biology 20 – Textbook In-text Answer Keys: Chapter 7
7. Breathing through the mouth allows air to bypass the nasal cavity, so air would not be warmed and moistened as it
would be when passing through the nose. The warming and moistening of the air is important for protection of the
delicate structures found in the lower respiratory tract.

8. The path of air from the nose to the alveoli is:

[Link] larynx contains the vocal cords. Sound is created

as the vocal cords are drawn together and air passing
through the narrowed space between them causes
them to vibrate. A tube inserted into the trachea would
pass through the larynx preventing the vocal cords from coming together. Also, exhaled air would pass through the
inserted tube rather than past the vocal cords, so no sound could be made. 10. The thin pleural membranes cover the
surface of each lung and the inside of the chest wall. Fluid in the space between the membranes causes them to adhere
to each other in the same way that a film of tears causes a contact lens to stick to the cornea of the eye. In this way,
each lung adheres to the wall of the thoracic cavity and thereby expands and contracts with the movement of the chest.
11. The walls of the trachea and bronchi are strengthened by semicircular, cartilaginous arches that prevent them from
collapsing during inhalation.

12. The structures are:

13. A – bronchiole B – alveoli C – capillary network

Gas exchange takes place between the blood in the
capillaries and the air in the alveoli. Oxygen molecules in
the air become dissolved in the film of water (moisture)
on the alveolar wall and then diffuse into the blood.
Carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood in the opposite
direction.

14. Several characteristics of alveoli facilitate gas

exchange. Their arrangement in clusters (like bunches of
hollow grapes) provides a very large surface area across
which external respiration occurs. The alveolar walls are covered in a film of water, providing a moist environment for
diffusion of gases. Each alveolar wall is only one cell layer thick, creating the minimum distance possible across which
diffusion occurs. Alveoli are significant for gas exchange in that they are specialized tissues for that function. (The outer
skin might also function in gas exchange as in amphibians, except that human skin consists of dry, dead cells several
layers thick and its total surface area is much less than that of the alveoli.)

Student Textbook page 250

Q6. The following are the essential concepts that should be included: ■ Inhalation: The rib (intercostal) muscles contract,
lifting the rib cage up and out. At the same time, the diaphragm contracts and pulls downward. As the air pressure inside
the thoracic cavity decreases, air will move into the lungs from the environment. ■ Exhalation: The intercostal muscles
relax, allowing the rib cage to return to its normal position. The diaphragm also relaxes and resumes its domed shape. As
pressure in the thoracic cavity increases, air moves from the lungs into the environment.

Student Textbook page 252

Q7. External respiration takes place in the lungs. During external respiration, gases are exchanged between the alveoli
and the blood in the capillaries that surround each alveolus.

Q8. Each alveolus lies directly alongside a capillary. As the blood moves away from the body tissues, it is oxygenpoor. As
it moves through the capillary, oxygen from the air in the alveolus diffuses into the capillary. Carbon dioxide in the
capillary diffuses into the alveolus and is expelled from the body when you exhale.
 Biology 20 – Textbook In-text Answer Keys: Chapter 7
Section 7.2 Review Answers - Student Textbook page 254

1. The two basic requirements, as summarized in Section 7.1, are (a) a large enough surface area for the quick and
efficient exchange of gases and (b) a moist environment for external respiration to take place. Alveoli are thin-walled
structures that are surrounded by capillaries. There are about 300 million alveoli in each lung, providing a large surface
area for gas exchange. The alveoli of human lungs are lined with a thin film of water, provided by the water vapour that
is added to air as it passes through the respiratory tract.

2. The role of the diaphragm is to change the size of the thoracic cavity. This alters air pressure within the lungs and
causes air to enter and exit the lungs. Inhaling: The diaphragm contracts and moves down, an action that increases the
volume of the thoracic cavity. This reduces the pressure in the cavity. Air moves into the lungs when the pressure inside
the cavity is lower than air pressure outside (air moves from a region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure).
Exhaling: The diaphragm relaxes and resumes its normal, domed shape. This decreases the volume in the thoracic cavity
which, in turn, increases air pressure in the area. Air moves out of the lungs when the pressure inside the thoracic cavity
is higher than air pressure outside.

3. The model shown represents the thoracic cavity, the lungs and the diaphragm. In Diagram B (inhalation), the pulling
down of the elastic membrane (diaphragm) increases the volume and reduces the pressure of the cavity. Air moves into
the balloons because the air pressure outside is higher than in the cavity and the balloons. In Diagram A (exhalation), the
elastic membrane returns to its normal, flat shape, which decreases the volume and increases the pressure in the cavity.
Air moves out of the balloons because the pressure
inside the cavity and the balloons is higher than air
pressure outside.

4. (a) A spirograph shows the volume of air moving in

and out of the lungs with each breath.

(b) See spirograph on right.

(c) The respiratory volumes represented on this graph

are: ■ Tidal volume represents air inhaled and exhaled
during a normal breath when at rest. ■ Inspiratory
reserve volume represents additional air taken in beyond
a normal inhalation. ■ Expiratory reserve volume
represents additional air that can be forced out of the
lungs beyond a normal exhalation. ■ Vital capacity is the
total volume of gas that can be moved in or out of the lungs. Vital capacity = tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume +
expiratory reserve volume. (Note: total lung volume = vital capacity + residual volume) ■ Residual volume is the
amount of gas that remains in the lungs and the passageways of the respiratory system after a full exhalation.

5. (a) The three volumes of air that make up the vital capacity are the tidal volume, the inspiratory reserve volume, and
the expiratory reserve volume. (b) The residual volume is the amount of gas that remains in the lungs and passageways
of the respiratory system even after a full exhalation. The lungs contain air after a full exhalation due to the presence of
cartilaginous rings that keep the airways open, even if the lungs are dissected from
the thoracic cavity. Lung tissue is like a sponge that contains air due to its physical
structure.

6. See image on right →

External respiration occurs between the alveoli and the capillaries next to them. As
oxygen-poor blood moves through the lung capillaries, oxygen from the air in the
alveoli diffuses into the capillaries and carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood.
 Biology 20 – Textbook In-text Answer Keys: Chapter 7
Internal respiration occurs between the capillaries and the body tissues. Oxygen diffuses from the oxygen-rich blood into
the tissues while carbon dioxide diffuses from the tissues into the blood.

7. Hemoglobin has three major functions. It carries about 99% of the O2 in the blood. (The remaining 1% is dissolved in
the plasma.) Hemoglobin also buffers the pH of the blood by combining with H+ from the carbonic acid that forms when
carbon dioxide combines with water. Its third function is to carry about 23% of the CO2 in the blood. Bicarbonate ions
form from the dissociation of carbonic acid that results from CO2 reacting with water in the blood. About 70% of the
CO2 carried in the blood travels as bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).

8. The diaphragm is a muscle that contracts to begin inspiration, increasing the volume and decreasing the pressure in
the thoracic cavity. If this muscle is damaged, inspiration and normal breathing would be very difficult. The patient
would probably rely more heavily on intercostal muscles to carry on the breathing cycle if they were undamaged. If the
injury allowed air to move between the pleural membranes, a collapsed lung might occur. (See Answer #9, below.)

9. A pneumothorax allows air into the thoracic cavity so that the pleural membranes no longer adhere to each other.
(See the answer to Section 7.1 Review Questions, question 10.) The collapsed lung would fail to expand and contract
with the movement of the chest wall and diaphragm. Gas exchange would no longer occur in the collapsed lung. If one
lung were to collapse, the total surface area for gas exchange would be reduced by about half.

10. Removing the air from the thoracic cavity would allow a film of water to reattach the pleural membranes. In this
way, the lungs would once again expand and contract with the movement of the chest wall and diaphragm.

11. The levels of carbon dioxide in the toddler’s blood would increase to the point where the breathing centre in the
brain would over-ride the toddler’s desire to stop breathing. Normal breathing would resume.

Student Textbook page 256

Q9. Viruses are more likely to cause tonsillitis and laryngitis than bacteria are.

Student Textbook page 258

Q10. Bronchitis is a disorder that causes the bronchi to become inflamed and filled with mucus, which is expelled by
coughing. It makes breathing difficult because the respiratory tract is partially blocked by mucus, reducing the amount of
air that can enter the lungs. The inflammation of the bronchi will also result in pain during inhaling and exhaling.

Q11. Pneumonia is a disease that occurs when the alveoli in the lungs inflame and fill with liquids. This interferes with
gas exchange, and the body becomes oxygen starved.

Student Textbook page 259

Q12. Student answer may vary but should include the following:

Section 7.3 Review Answers - Student Textbook page 262

1. The structures illustrated in the diagram are the tonsils. They help to
prevent bacteria and other
pathogens from entering the
body. Tonsillitis is an infection
of the tonsils, usually caused
by a viral infection.

2. The following chart can be

used to compare bronchitis to
pneumonia.
 Biology 20 – Textbook In-text Answer Keys: Chapter 7
3. Emphysema is an obstructive respiratory disease caused by smoking. The lungs lose elasticity and breathing becomes
difficult. The destruction of alveolar walls reduces the surface area for gas exchange. A low-flow oxygen system
increases the concentration of oxygen in the air entering the lungs, thereby increasing the oxygen diffusion gradient.
This compensates for the lack of surface area for oxygen diffusion.

4. A person with cystic fibrosis produces thick, sticky mucus that coats the inside of the lungs. The mucus in the lungs
normally traps pathogens and then is expelled from the body by coughing. In people who have cystic fibrosis, the mucus
is so thick that pathogens are trapped but cannot be expelled. As a result, the lungs get repeated infections that reduce
lung function, and the individual has trouble breathing.

5. Asthma is a chronic obstructive lung disease that affects the bronchi and bronchioles, making breathing difficult or
impossible because of reduced air flow. The airways of asthmatics are constantly inflamed and are sensitive to some
triggers, such as pollen, dust, cigarette smoke, and other air pollutants. During an asthma attack, the bronchi and
bronchioles swell, the bronchial muscles tighten, and mucus production increases. These changes obstruct the airways
and make breathing difficult or impossible.

6. During an asthma attack, the bronchi and bronchioles swell, the bronchial muscles tighten, and mucus production
increases. These changes obstruct the airways and make breathing difficult or impossible. A bronchial dilator helps to
reduce the inflammation and relax the bronchial muscles. This helps to reduce the obstruction of the airways making
breathing easier.

7. Lung cancer is the uncontrolled and invasive growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. The abnormal cells multiply and
form malignant tumours, or carcinomas. The carcinoma continues to grow and invade surrounding tissues, including the
lymphatic and blood vessels in the lungs. The lymphatic and blood vessels circulate through the body and carry the
cancerous cells to new locations where they can grow and invade new tissues. The spread of a tumour throughout the
body is called metastasis, and the cancerous cells that spread are called metastatic cells.

8. Most cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking, making this type of cancer wholly preventable. Not smoking, or
quitting if you already smoke, is one way to prevent lung cancer. Another cause of lung cancer is exposure to radon, a
heavy gaseous radioactive element that is colourless and odourless. Radon is found in many homes, and testing is the
only way to tell if your home has dangerously high levels of this gas.

9. (a) CT scans locate abnormalities in the lungs. A new type of scan, called a helical low-dose CT scan, is able to detect
lung cancer when the tumours are still very small. (b) Liposomes are artificial microscopic vesicles that consist of a liquid
centre surrounded by phospholipids layers. They are manufactured in a lab, filled with cancer-fighting drugs, and
released into the bloodstream. Their tiny size allows them to follow the spread of the cancerous cells and attack the cells
before the cells start their uncontrolled growth at a new location.

10. The following chart could be used to show the four symptoms of asbestosis and the causes of each symptom:

11. Reasons the friend might give for starting smoking might include reference to
group acceptance/peer pressure, independence/rebellion (smoking because it’s
against the wishes of a parent or authority figure), looking/feeling cool, and acting
like a favourite person (performer, mentor, parent). Information that could be given
to convince the friend to stop includes personal health, affects on the health
(physical or even emotional) of others, and cost. Greater significance should be
given to the health examples cited and explained.
 Biology 20 – Textbook In-text Answer Keys: Chapter 7
12. The following chart could be used to summarize the causes of each
symptom of lung cancer:

Chapter 7 Review Answers - Student Textbook page 264-265

1. nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, glottis, bronchiole, alveoli

2. (a) False: Respiration can be divided into internal and external respiration.
(b) True (c) False: Air enters the lungs when air pressure inside the lungs is less
than the air pressure in the external environment. (d) False: The tidal volume is
the amount of air inhaled and exhaled during one normal breath.

3. Stages in the process of respiration: ■ Breathing involves two basic

processes: inspiration (breathing in) and expiration (breathing out, or exhaling).
■ External respiration is the process by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are
exchanged between the air and the blood. ■ Internal respiration is the process
by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the body’s tissue
cells and the blood. ■ Cellular respiration is the series of energy-releasing
chemical reactions that take place inside the cells. Cellular respiration is the
final stage in respiration. It is the sole means for providing energy for all
cellular activities.

4. The two basic requirements of a gas exchange system are (a) a large enough surface area for the quick and efficient
exchange of gases; and (b) for internal respiration to take place a moist environment. Alveoli are thin-walled structures
that are surrounded by capillaries. There are about 300 million alveoli in each lung, providing a large surface area for gas
exchange. The alveoli of human lungs are lined with a thin film of water provided by the water vapour added to air as it
passes through the respiratory tract.

5. Lower respiratory system diseases include: ■ Pneumonia: Alveoli fill with thick fluid, making gas exchange difficult. ■
Bronchitis: Airways are inflamed due to infection or an irritant. Air flow into and out of the thoracic cavity is impaired. ■
Asthma: Airways are inflamed due to irritation, and bronchioles constrict due to muscle spasms. Obstruction of the
airway makes breathing difficult. ■ Emphysema: Alveoli burst and fuse into enlarged spaces. Surface area is greatly
reduced, making gas exchange difficult.

6. Lung cancer is the uncontrolled and invasive growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. The abnormal cells multiply and
form a malignant tumour, or carcinoma. The carcinoma continues to grow and invade surrounding tissues, including
lymphatic tissue and blood vessels. These vessels carry the cancerous cells to new locations.

7. Inspiration: The intercostal muscles contract, lifting the rib cage up and out. At the same time, the diaphragm
contracts and pulls downward. As the air pressure inside the thoracic cavity decreases, air will move into the lungs from
the environment.

Expiration: The intercostal muscles relax, allowing the rib cage to return to its normal position. The diaphragm also
relaxes and resumes its domed shape. As pressure in the thoracic cavity increases, air moves from the lungs into the
environment.

8. Look for any two of the following: Benefits of quitting smoking: ■ reduced chances of developing lung cancer and / or
emphysema ■ improved breathing ■ chest infections and colds become less frequent ■ reduction in chronic bronchitis
(smokers’ cough) ■ the smell of stale tobacco on clothes, hair, breath, and face is gone ■ food tastes and smells much
better Aids to help with quitting: ■ nicotine replacement therapies (nicotine gum, nicotine patches, nicotine inhalers) ■
non-nicotine based prescription medication

9. (a) Dissolving is the process of going into a solution. Carbon dioxide, for example, dissolves in the water (blood) and is
transported from the cells of the body to the lungs. (b) Diffusion is the movement of particles from a region of higher
 Biology 20 – Textbook In-text Answer Keys: Chapter 7
concentration to a region of lower concentration. Oxygen gas, for example, diffuses into the plasma and then into the
red blood cells in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli in the lungs.

10. (a) Answers should indicate that they are using volumes associated with a normal breath. Tidal Volume = 4000 mL –
3400 mL = 600 mL (b) In most cases there are approximately 3 breaths every 12 seconds or 15 breaths per minute. The
following is a calculation that students might use to arrive at an answer:

(c) The total lung capacity of a smoker will be significantly less than the vital capacity of a
non-smoker.

11. This breathing pattern would force a maximum amount of carbon dioxide out of the
lungs after a deep exhalation. This would lower the concentration of carbon dioxide in the
alveolar air and facilitate the diffusion of carbon dioxide out of the blood. The deep inhalation would also have a similar
effect, bringing more oxygen into the lungs and increasing the concentration gradient, thus allowing more oxygen into
the blood and to the body cells.

12. The key points that should be included in the answer include: ■ External respiration is the process by which oxygen
and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and the blood. ■ Diagram should show oxygen diffusing from the
alveoli into the capillaries that surround each alveolus. ■ Diagram should show carbon dioxide diffusing from the
capillaries into the alveoli.

13. Here is one example of an acceptable answer: You cannot smell many pollutants in the air that may affect your
respiratory system. One example of this is carbon monoxide, which is a colourless, odourless gas that can kill you. It
binds to hemoglobin in the red blood cells, which prevents the exchange of gases during external respiration.

14. How Increased Waste Product from Cellular Respiration (Not Oxygen Concentration) during Strenous Exercise
Increases Inspiratory Reserve Volume and Rate of Breathing. Note: Low oxygen concentration in the blood is not the
stimulus that increases breathing rate during strenuous exercise.

15. Swimmers and divers hyperventilate to remove as much carbon dioxide gas from their body as possible. They can
stay underwater longer because it takes longer for the carbon dioxide levels to build up to the point where breathing is
triggered.

16. (a) The Heimlich manoeuver puts upward pressure on the diaphragm, and this decreases the volume of the thoracic
cavity. This would help to force air out of the lungs, and the air may push the food out of the person’s trachea. (b) Giving
water to a choking individual would not be a good idea because drinking water would not open the airway. Water will
compound the choking problem, as the digestive system and respiratory system share a common opening called the
pharynx. You would now have to clear the airway of the food and the water! (c) Normal air is 21% oxygen and 0.04%
carbon dioxide; respirator air is 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide. Oxygen is given to treat patients with insufficient
oxygen in the blood. Patients should initially be given a high concentration to restore the concentration of oxygen in the
blood. The 5% carbon dioxide medical gas mixture is to stimulate respiration after a period of reduced airflow into the
lungs.

17. (a) The smoker’s cough is caused by the paralysis of the cilia lining the trachea and bronchial tubes. This allows the
build-up of tar and mucus in the lungs. When cilia are covered with pollutants, they do not remove the mucus and
contents of the cigarette smoke effectively from the airway. This build-up irritates the lungs, and the smoker has to
cough in an attempt to clear the tar and mucus out of the lungs and airways. (b) You would expect a smoker to cough up
mucus as well as the tar and other chemicals found in cigarette smoke. (c) Students could identify emphysema or lung
cancer as possible diseases caused by smoking. Emphysema is an obstructive respiratory disorder in which the walls of
the alveoli break down and lose their elasticity. This reduces the surface area for gas exchange and causes oxygen
shortages in the tissues. Exhaling becomes difficult because of the loss of elasticity, so breathing is laboured. Lung cancer
is the uncontrolled and invasive growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. The abnormal cells multiply and form malignant
 Biology 20 – Textbook In-text Answer Keys: Chapter 7
tumours or carcinomas. The tumours reduce the surface area available for gas exchange and may stop air from entering
the bronchioles. Growing tumours may damage tissue or produce toxins that are harmful to lung cells.

18. Respiratory disorders that are linked to the environment include emphysema, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and
asthma. Students should link the disorder to a suspected environmental cause or trigger. Smoking, air pollution, and
allergens are three examples that students may include in their answer.

19. Taking frequent, shallow breaths would be better than taking deep breaths because this reduces the respiratory
efficiency of the lungs. As a result, less polluted air will diffuse across the alveolar membrane and into the blood.

20. (a) When air enters directly into the trachea through the tracheotomy, the warming, moisturizing, and cleaning
effects of the nose and turbinate bones is lost. (b) The tracheal cover may be fitted with a small filter to clean the air,
moisture (water vapour) may be added to the air, and / or the air may be warmed.

21. (a) The parts of the respiratory system affected by pharyngitis are the pharynx, nasal passages, and trachea. (b) The
symptoms of this disease are a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough. ■ sore throat—the pharynx is the common
opening of the respiratory and digestive system. An infection will result in swelling and irritation of the membranes
lining the pharynx. ■ runny nose—inflammation and the production of extra mucus occur in the mucus membranes
lining the nasal passages ■ cough—a cough is a protective mechanism that helps clear the extra mucus and other
irritants from the airway.