17
Breathing and
Exchange of Gases
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q. 1 Respiration in insects is called direct because
(a) the cells exchange O2 /CO2 directly with the air in the tubes
(b) the tissues exchange O2 /CO2 directly with coelomic fluid
(c) the tissues exchange O2 /CO2 directly with the air outside through body surface
(d) tracheal tubes exchange O2 /CO2 directly with the haemocoel which then
exchange with tissues
Ans. (a) Insects have a network of tubes (tracheal tubes) to transport atmospheric air within the
body. These openings lead to trachae. The cells exchange O 2 /CO 2 directly with the air
in the spiracles present on insects body.
Spiracle
Atrium Tracheoles
Atrial muscles
Tracheal epithelium Tracheole
Nuclei cell
Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
Trachea
Cuticular
thickening
Trachea and tracheoles in insects
Q. 2 Which of the following does not occur during breathing?
(a) Brings the air to body temperature (b) Warms up the air
(c) Diffusion of gases (d) Cleans up the air
Ans. (c) Diffusion of gases is a physical phenomenon that takes place between the tissue and
blood vessels, and does not occur during breathing whereas bringing air to the body
temperature, its cleaning and warming occurs during the process of breathing.
Q. 3 A person suffers punctures in his chest cavity in an accident, without any
damage to the lungs its effect could be
(a) reduced breathing rate (b) rapid increase in breathing rate
(c) no change in respiration (d) cessation of breathing
Ans. (d) The movement of air into and out of the lungs is carried out by creating a pressure
gradient between the lungs and the atmosphere. The pressure within the lungs is less
than the atmospheric pressure so there is a negative pressure in the lungs with
respect to atmospheric pressure.
The puncture in the chest affects this pressure gradient maintained by the lungs and
thus may cause cessation of breathing.
Q. 4 It is known that exposure to carbon monoxide is harmful to animals
because
(a) it reduces CO2 transport (b) it reduces O2 transport
(c) it increases CO2 transport (d) it increases O2 transport
K Thinking Process
The reaction between haemoglobin and CO2 is reversible, whereas it is irreversible in
case of CO.
Ans. (b) Haemoglobin consist of a protein globin and pigment here. The four portion of iron in
name combine with molecule of oxygen. It is an easy reversible reaction to form
oxyhaemoglobin
Hb + O 2 l HbO 2
Whereas, the complex formed by the reaction of carbon monooxide and haemoglobin
is incredibly strong
Hb + CO → HbCO
( Haemoglobin) ( Carboxy
haemoglobin)
As a result of this strong between the haemoglobin and carbon monooxide the
haemoglobin looses its affinity to oxygen thus may lead to choking or even death.
Q. 5 Mark the true statement among the following with reference to normal
breathing
(a) inspiration is a passive process whereas expiration is active
(b) inspiration is a active process whereas expiration is passive
(c) inspiration and expiration are active processes
(d) inspiration and expiration are passive processes
Ans. (b) Inspiration is a active process whereas expiration is a passive process. Inspiration
occur when the muscles of diaphragm contrac to increase the overall volume of
thoracic cavity.
Thus the pressure within the lungs (intra-pulmonary pressure) is less in comparison to
the atmospheric pressure, i.e., there is a negative pressure in the lungs with respect to
atmospheric pressure. As the muscles use energy for contraction inspiration is called
active process.
Whereas, during the expiration diaphragm muscles relax without the use of energy
intra-pulmonary pressure becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure and air
noshes out. Thus, it is a passive process.
Trachea
Lung
Lung (contracted)
(expanded)
Diaphragm
(raised)
Diaphragm
(lowered)
A B
Mechanism of breathing A. Inspiration (chest cavity enlarged)
B. Expiration (chest cavity reduced)
Q. 6 A person breathes in some volume of air by forced inspiration after having
a forced expiration. This quantity of air taken in is
(a) total lung capacity (b) tidal volume
(c) vital capacity (d) inspiratory capacity
Ans. (c) The maximum volume of air that a person can breathe in after forced expiration or the
maximum volume of air that a person can breathe out after forced inspiration is called
vital capacity
VC = IRV + ERV + TV
(Inspiratory reserve volume) (Expiratory reserve volume ) (Tidal volume)
The value of vital capacity varies from 3400 mL to 4800 mL.
On the other hand, tidal volume is the air inspired or expired during normal breathing.
Total lung capacity is the volume of air present in lungs and respiratory passage after
maximum inspiration. Whereas, inspiratory capacity is total volume of air that a person
can inspire after normal inspiration.
Q. 7 Mark the incorrect statement in context to O2 binding to Hb
(a) higher pH (b) lower temperature
(c) lower pCO2 (d) higher pO2
Ans. (d) There are various factors which affect the binding of O 2 with Hb.
These factors are
(i) Low temperature
(ii) Low H+ concentration (low pH).
(iii) Low diphosphoglyceraldehy
So, higher pO 2 is the in correct statement.
Q. 8 Mark the correct pair of muscles involved in the normal breathing in
humans.
(a) External and internal intercostal muscles
(b) Diaphragm and abdominal muscles
(c) Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles
(d) Diaphragm and intercostal muscles
Ans. (d) The diaphragm and a specialised set of muscles, called external muscles present
between the ribs are involved in the normal breathing in humans. They are involved in
generating pressure gradient of air between the lungs and the atmosphere, so as to
faeilitate the intake of air.
Air drawn in
Pleural
membranes
Vertebral
column Ribs and
Sternum
Raised
Lungs
expanded
Diaphragm
contracted
and lowered
Diagram illustrating part of muscles in lungs
involved in the process of inspiration
Q. 9 Incidence of emphysema a respiratory disorder is high in cigarette smokers.
In such cases
(a) the bronchioles are found damaged
(b) the alveolar walls are found damaged
(c) the plasma membrane is found damaged
(d) the respiratory muscles are found damaged
Ans. (b) Emphysema is a chronic disorder in which alveolar walls are damaged due to the
infacation or obsomal distersion. It is a respiratory disorder caused by ciggrette
smoking and inhalation of other smoke or toixic substences over a period of time.
Q. 10 Respiratory process is regulated by certain specialised centres in the
brain. One of the following listed centres can reduce the inspiratory
duration upon stimulation.
(a) Medullary inspiratory centre (b) Pneumotaxic centre
(c) Apneustic centre (d) Chemosensitive centre
Ans. (b) Pneumotaxic Centre Located in the dorsal part of pons varoli of the brain can
reduce the duration of inspiration and thus alter the respiratory rate.
Apneustic Centre Whereas is located in the lower part of pons varoli is responsible for
promoting inspiration process.
Chemosensitive Centre is situated adjacent to the rhythm centre which is highly
sensitive to CO 2 and hydrogen ions. Increase in CO 2 and H+ in body and activates this
centre for the elimiration of CO 2 and H
Medullary Inspiratory Centre is a specialised region present in medulla of the brain.
and is primarily responsible for regulating the respiratory rhythm.
Pneumotaxic centre
Pons varoli Apneustic centre
(hypothetical)
Ventral respiratory group
(expiration and inspiration) Dorsal respiratory group
(inspiration)
Medulla oblongata
To expiratory muscles
(internal intercostals
and others) (+) To inspiratory muscles
(+)
External
intercostal
muscle Diaphragm
Respiratory centre in human brain
Q. 11 CO2 dissociates from carbamino haemoglobin when
(a) pCO2 is high and pO2 is low
(b) pO2 is high and pCO2 is low
(c) pCO2 and pO2 are equal
(d) None of the above
K Thinking Process
CO2 is carried by haemoglobin as carbamino haemoglobin. This binding is related to the
partial pressure of CO2.
Ans. (b) When, the pCO 2 is low and pO 2 is high as in the lung alveoli, dissociation of CO 2 from
carbamino-haemoglobin takes place, CO 2 which is bound to haemoglobin from the
tissue is delivered at the alveoli, to maintain the concentration of CO 2 thus increasing
pCO 2 .
Exchange of gases takes place between tissue capillary and tissue cells. Capillary cells
with high pO 2 causes diffusion of O 2 into tissue cells via tissue fluid on the other hand
high pCO 2 in the tissue cells causes diffusion of CO 2 into tissue capillary via tissue
fluid.
Capillary
RBC endothelium
Tissue capillary
Tissue fluid (low pO2)
(high pO2)
O2 O2
Tissue cell showing low pO 2 high pCO 2
Q. 12 In breathing movements, air volume can be estimated by
(a) stethoscope (b) hygrometer
(c) sphygmomanometer (d) spirometer
Ans. (d) Spirometer is the device used to measure the volume of air involved in breathing
movements and it also helps in clinical assessment of pulmonary functions.
Stethoscope is a medical device used for listening the internal sounds of an animal or
human body.
Hygrometer is a device used for measuring the moisture content in the atmosphere,
i.e., humidity.
Sphygmomanometer is a device that is used to measure blood pressure.
Q. 13 From the following relationships between respiratory volume and
capacities, mark the correct option.
(i) Inspiratory Capacity (IC) = Tidal Volume + Residual Volume
(ii) Vital Capacity (VC) = Tidal Volume (TV) + Inspiratory Reserve Volume
(IRV) + Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV).
(iii) Residual Volume (RV) = Vital Capacity (VC) − Inspiratory Reserve
Volume (IRV)
(iv) Tidal Volume (TV) = Inspiratory Capacity (IC) − Inspiratory Reserve
Volume (IRV)
Codes
(a) (i) Incorrect, (ii) Incorrect, (iii) Incorrect, (iv) Correct
(b) (i) Incorrect, (ii) Correct, (iii) Incorrect, (iv) Correct
(c) (i) Correct, (ii) Correct, (iii) Incorrect, (iv) Correct
(d) (i) Correct, (ii) Incorrect, (iii) Correct, (iv) Incorrect
Ans. (b) (i) Inspiratory Capacity (IC) = Tidal Volume + Inspiratory Reserve Volume (TV + IRV).
(ii) Vital Capacity (VC) Tidal Volume + Inspiratory Reserve Volume + Expiratory
Reserve Volume. (TV + ERV + IRV)
(iii) Residual Volume (RV) Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a forcible
expiration.
(iv) Tidal Volume (TV) Volume of air inspired or expired during a normal respiration.
Q. 14 The oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve will show a right shift in
case of
(a) high pCO2 (b) high pO2
(c) low pCO2 (d) less H+ concentration
Ans. (a) A sigmoid curve obtained when percentage saturation of haemogblobin with O 2 is
plotted against the pO 2 .
Percentage saturation of haemoglobin
100
80
with oxygen
60
40
20
0
20 40 60 80 100
Partial pressure of oxygen (mm Hg)
Oxygen dissociation curve
The oxygen haemoglobin dissociation curve is shifted to right under following condition.
(i) Decrease in partial pressure of oxygen.
(ii) Increase in partial pressure of carbonoxide.
(iii) Increase in hydrogen concentration.
(iv) Decrease in pH activity.
(v) Increased body temperature.
Q. 15 Match the following columns.
Column I Coulmn II
A. Earthworm 1. Moist cuticle
B. Aquatic arthropods 2. Gills
C. Fishes 3. Lungs
D. Birds/Reptiles 4. Trachea
Codes
A B C D A B C D
(a) 2 1 4 3 (b) 1 4 2 3
(c) 1 3 2 4 (d) 1 2 4 3
Ans. (b) Earthworm respire through their moist cuticle and aquatic arthropods, respire through
trachea.
Fishes respire through gills, and birds/reptiles respire through lungs.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q. 1 Define the following terms?
(a) Tidal volume (b) Residual volume
(c) Asthma
K Thinking Process
The quantity of air that lung can receive, hold or expel under different condition is called
pulmonary volume. Combination of two or more pulmonary volume is called
pulmonary capacities.
Ans. (a) Tidal Volume (TV) is the volume of air inspired or expired during normal breath. This is
about 500 mL, i.e., a healthy man inspire or expire about 6000 to 8000 mL of air per
minute.
(b) Residual Volume (RV) is the volume of air remaining in the lungs even after a forcible
expiration. It is about 1100 mL to 1200 mL.
(c) Asthma It is a disease caused due to an allergic reaction to foreign substances. The
major symptoms are difficulty in breathing causing wheezing and coughing. Due to the
inflammation of bronchi.
Q. 2 A fluid filled double membranous layer surrounds the lungs. Name it and
mention its important function.
Ans. A fluid filled double membranous layer that surrounds the lungs is called pleura, and fluid
is pleural fluid in between them. The outer pleural membrane is in close contact with the
thoracic lining whereas, the inner pleural membrane is in contact with the lung surface.
These collectively reduce friction on lung's surface.
Epiglottis
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchus
Cut end of ribs heart Pleural membranes
Alveoli
Lung Pleural fluid
Bronchiole
Diaphragm
Diagrammatic view of human respiratory system of man
Q. 3 Name the primary site of exchange of gases in our body?
Ans. The primary site for the exchange of gases in our body is alveoli. There are 300 millions of
alveoli collectively in both the lungs. These alveoli have very thin wall consisting of
squamous epithelium. With extensive network of blood capillaries.
The presence of blood capillaries in the alveoli, result in easy exchange of gases. Each
alveolus is also called as miniature lung.
Air
Alveolar wall Basement
(one-celled thick) substance
Alveolar cavity
Blood
capillary Red blood cell
A diagram of a section of an alveolus
with a pulmonary capillary
Q. 4 Cigarette smoking causes emphysema. Give reason.
Ans. Emphysema is a chronic disorder of respiratory system, where inflation or abnormal
distension of alveolar wall occurs. Cigarette smoking and the inhalation of other smoke or
toxic substances over a period of time causes the damaging of septa between the alveoli,
and of its elastic tissue is replaced by the connective tissue in lungs.
Hence, the respiratory surface decreases, thus causing the emphysema. It causes
shortness of breath, production of sputum, chronic bronchitis, etc.
Q. 5 What is the amount of O2 supplied to tissues through every 100 mL of
oxygenated blood under normal physiological conditions?
Ans. Every 100 mL of oxygenated blood can deliver around 5 mL of O 2 to the tissue under
normal physiological conditions.
Q. 6 A major percentage (97%) of O2 is transported by RBCs in the blood. How
does the remaining percentage (3%) of O2 transported?
Ans. About 97% of O 2 is transported by RBCs in the blood. The remaining 3% of O 2 is carried in
a dissolved state through the plasma.
Q. 7 Arrange the following terms based on their volumes in an ascending order.
(a) Tidal Volume (TV)
(b) Residual Volume (RV)
(c) Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
(d) Expiratory Capacity (EC)
Ans. (d) Expiratory Capacity (EC) Approximate volume is 1000 mL.
(b) Residual Volume (RV) Approximate volume is 1200 mL.
(c) Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) Approximate volume is 2500 to 3000mL.
(a) Tidal Volume(TV) Approximate volume is 6000 to 8000 mL.
Inspiratory
Inspiratory Capacity
reserve
Vital Capacity
volume
Total Lung Capacity
Tidal
volume
Expiratory
Functional Residual
reserve
volume
Capacity
Residual
volume
Lung volumes Lung capacities
Diagram depicting pulmonary volumes and pulmonary capacities
Q. 8 Complete the missing terms
(a) Inspiratory Capacity (IC) = … + IRV
(b) … = TV + ERV
(c) Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) = ERV + …
Ans. (a) Inspiratory Capacity (IC) = (TV ) + (IRV ) Tidal Volume. Inspiratory Reserve Volume
(b) Expiratory Capacity (EC) = (TV + ERV ) Tidal Volume. Expiratory Reserve Volume
(c) Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) = (ERV ) Expiratory + (RV) Reserve Volume. Residual
Volume
Q. 9 Name the organs of respiration in the following organisms.
(a) Flatworm ......... (b) Birds .........
(c) Frog ......... (d) Cockroach .........
K Thinking Process
Mechanism of breathing vary among different groups of animals depending on their
habitats and levels of organisation.
Ans. (a) Flatworm General body surface (b) Birds Lungs
(c) Frog Lungs and moist skin (d) Cockroach Tracheal tubes
Q. 10 Name the important parts involved in creating a pressure gradient
between lungs and the atmosphere during normal respiration.
Ans. The diaphragm and a specialised set of external and intercostals muscles between the
ribs, help in the generation of pressure gradient during normal respiration.
Air drawn in
Ribs and
sternum
raised
Lungs
expanded
Diaphragm
contracted
and lowered
Diagram depicting expiration process via
diaphragm and intercostal muscles in lungs
Short Answer Type Questions
Q. 1 State the different modes of CO2 transport in blood.
Ans. Carbon dioxide is carried by the blood in three forms
(i) In Dissolved State Under normal temperature and pressure, about 7% of CO 2 is
carried by physical solution.
(ii) As Carbamino Compounds CO 2 binds directly with Hb to form an unstable
compound carbaminocompounds (CO 2 Hb) About 23% CO 2 is transported in this form.
When pCO 2 is high and pO 2 is low as in the tissues, more binding of carbon-dioxide
occurs whereas, when pCO 2 is low and pO 2 is high as in alveol as tissue dissociation of
CO 2 from carbamino-haemoglobin takes place.
HbO 2 + CO 2 l HbCO 2 + H+ + O 2
(iii) As Bicarbonate Ions CO 2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO 3 ) in the
presence of carbonic anhydrase in RBC. H2CO 3 dissociates into hydrogen and
bicarbonate ions (HCO 3 − ).
The whole reaction proceeds as follows
Carbonic
CO 2 + H2O l H2CO 3
Anhydrase Carbonic acid
H2CO 3 l H+ + HCO −3
Carbonic acid Hydrogen Bicarbonate
ion ion
The carbonic anhydrase reaction mainly occur in RBC as it contain high concentration of
enzyme carbonic anhydrase and minute quantity of it is present in plasma too.
Q. 2 Compared to O2 , diffusion rate of CO2 through the diffusion membrane per
unit difference in partial pressure is much higher. Explain.
K Thinking Process
Diffusing capacity can be defined as the volume of gas, that diffuses through the
membrane per minute for a pressure difference of 1 mm Hg. It is further dependent on
the solubility of the diffusing gases.
Ans. As, the solubility rate of CO 2 is 20-25 times higher than that of the O 2 , the amount of CO 2
that can diffuse through the diffusion membrane per unit difference in partial pressure is
much higher compared to that of O 2 .
Q. 3 For completion of respiration process, write the given steps in sequential
manner.
(a) Diffusion of gases (O2 and CO2 ) across alveolar membrane.
(b) Transport of gases by blood.
(c) Utilisation of O2 by the cells for catabolic reactions and resultant
release of CO2 .
(d) Pulmonary ventilation by which atmospheric air is drawn in and CO2
rich alveolar air is released out.
(e) Diffusion of O2 and CO2 between blood and tissues.
Ans. (d) Pulmonary ventilation by which atmospheric air is drawn in and CO 2 rich alveolar air is
released out.
(a) Diffusion of gases (O 2 and CO 2 ) across alveolar membrane.
(b) Transport of gases by blood.
(c) Diffusion of O 2 and CO 2 between blood and tissues.
(e) Utilisation of O 2 by the cells for catabolic reactions and resultant release of CO 2 .
Q. 4 Differentiate between
(a) Inspiratory and expiratory reserve volume
(b) Vital capacity and total lung capacity.
(c) Emphysema and occupational respiratory disorder.
Ans. Difference between these are as follows
(a) Inspiratory Reserve Volume Expiratory Reserve Volume
It is the additional volume of air, a It is the additional volume of air a person can
person can inspire by a forcible expire by a forcible expiration. It ranges
inspiration. It ranges between 2500 mL between 1000 mL to 1100 mL.
to 3000 mL.
(b) Vital Capacity Total Lung Capacity
Vital capacity is the maximum volume of Total using capacity is the total volume of air
air that a person can breathe in after a accommodated in the lungs at the end of a
forced expiration. This includes ERV, TV forced inspiration. This includes RV, ERV, TV
and IRV or the maximum volume of air a and IRV or vital capacity + residual volume.
person can breathe out after a forced i.e., TLC = RV +( ERV +IRV +TV) or VC +RV
inspiration. i.e., Vc = ERV + IRV + TV
(c) Emphysema Occupational Respiratory Disorder
Emphysema is a chronic disorder of It is caused due to the long exposure of dust
respiratory system, in which alveolar produced by stone grinding or breaking and
cells are damaged due to which give rise to inflammation leading to fibrosis
regulatory respiratory surface is and thus causing serious lung damage.
decreased. Protective masks are provided for the
Cause of emphysema is cigarette workers in such industries.
smoking.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q. 1 Explain the transport of O2 and CO2 between alveoli and tissue with diagram.
Ans. Representing the transport of O 2 and CO 2 between alveoli and tisue with diagram
Inspired air Expired air
Alveolar air
pO2 = 104 mmHg
pCO2 = 40 mmHg Alveolus
CO2 O2
CO2 O2
Pulmonary artery Pulmonary vein
Systemic veins Systemic arteries
(carrying oxygenated blood)
(carrying deoxygentated
blood) CO2 O
2
pO2 = 95 mm Hg
pCO2 = 40 mm Hg
pO2 = 40 mm Hg CO2 O2
pCO2 = 45 mm Hg
Body tissues
Diagrammatic representation of exchange of gases at the alveolus and the body
tissue with blood and transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Q. 2 Explain the mechanism of breathing with neat labelled sketches.
Ans. Mechanism of Breathing Breathing involves two stages, inspiration during which
atmospheric air is drawn in and expiration by which the alveolar air is released out.
The movement of air into and out of the lungs is carried out by creating a pressure gradient
between the lungs and the atmosphere, the help of diaphragm and inter costal muscles.
Air leaving lungs
Air entering lungs
Volume of thorax Volume of
increased thorax
decreased
Ribs and Ribs and
sternum sternum
raised returned to
original
position
Diaphragm Diaphragm
Rib cage
contracted relaxed
and arched
upwards
Inspiration Expiration
Q. 3 Explain the role of neural system in regulation of respiration.
Ans. Human beings have a significant ability to maintain and moderate the respiratory rhythm to
suit the demands of the body tissue. This is done by the neural system.
Respiration regulated by neural system in following ways/ manress
(i) A specialised centre present in the medulla region of the brain called respiratory rhythm
centre is primarily responsible in regulating respiration process. Another centre present
in the pons region of the brain called pneumotaxic centre, can moderate the functions
of the respiratory rhythm centre. Neural signal from this centre, can reduce the duration
of inspiration and thereby alter the respiratory rate.
(ii) A chemosensitive area is situated adjacent to the rhythm centre which is highly sensitive
to CO 2 and hydrogen ions. Increase in these substances activates this centre, which in
turn signals the rhythm centre to make necessary adjustments in the respiratory
process by which these substances can be eliminated.
(iii) Receptors associated with aortic arch and carotid artery also recognise changes in CO 2
and H+ concentration and send necessary signals to the rhythm centre for remedial
action because the role of oxygen in the regulation of respiratory rhythm is quite
insignificant.