Class 11 Biology NCERT Solutions for Chapter 17 – Breathing and Exchange of Gases

Important Notes On Breathing And Exchange Of Gases

Access NCERT Solution For Class 11 Biology Chapter 17

1. Define vital capacity. What is its significance?

Vital capacity can be defined as the maximum volume of air a person can breathe in a post a forced expiration.

Significance of vital capacity:

(i) It depicts the maximum amount of air that can be converted or renewed in the respiratory system in a single respiration

(ii) The excess quantity of inhaled air represents the maximum amount of oxygen available for glucose oxidation. This way more energy is available for the body.

2. State the volume of air remaining in the lungs after normal breathing.

It can be stated by the functional residual capacity (FRC). FRC is the volume of air that remains in the lungs after a normal expiration. The functional residual capacity is both the expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and residual volume (RV).

The expiratory reserve volume is the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled post a normal expiration which is approximately 1000ml-1500ml. The residual volume is the volume of air that remains in the lungs after maximum expiration which is about 1100ml to 1500ml.

Hence,

FRC = ERV + RV

≅ 1500 + 1500 = 3000 ml

Thus, the functional residual capacity of the lungs in human beings is nearly 2500 ml to 3000 ml

3. Diffusion of gases occurs in the alveolar region only and not in the other parts of the respiratory system. Why?

Alveoli are the small air sacs of the lungs that allow rapid gas exchange. These structures are specially built for the gas exchange process. The thickness of the alveolar membrane in total is lesser than a millimeter, while the outer surface of the alveolar membrane is in close proximity to the linkage of blood capillaries.

The endothelial membrane of the blood capillaries and the alveolar membrane are distinguished by a fine basement substance. This fine barrier facilitates easy diffusion of the gases. The alveolar air that comes in close proximity to the blood capillaries has higher levels of pO₂ and lower levels of pCO₂ that promote the gas-diffusion. All these structural pluses that are found in alveoli are not present in any other structure of the respiratory system. Therefore, the gas diffusion phenomena occur in the alveolar region only and not in any other part.

4. What are the major transport mechanisms for CO₂? Explain.

Carbon dioxide is liberated by vigorously active tissue in the blood. On average, every 100ml of blood accepts approximately 3.7ml of CO₂ from tissues.

In blood, carbon dioxide is carried in three forms:

1. Carbon dioxide as a simple solution

Nearly 5-10% of carbon dioxide in the total volume of blood is dissolved in plasma and is transported as a simple physical solution

2. Carbon dioxide as a bicarbonate ion

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the tissue site is high due to catabolism. Carbon dioxide diffuses in the blood and forms carbonic acid after reacting with water. This reaction occurs in the presence of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme. The reaction is as follows:

Carbonic acid dissociates into H⁺ ions and bicarbonate. Some amount of bicarbonate ions is required to sustain the pH of the blood. The hydrogen ions are used by the proteins, the remaining bicarbonate ions are picked up by the plasma.

3. Carbon dioxide as carbamino-hemoglobin

In tissues, when the partial pressure of oxygen is lower and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is higher, the carbon dioxide loosely combines with the globin part of the reduced hemoglobin so as to form carbamino-hemoglobin. The reaction is as follows:

At the alveolar level, when pO₂ is higher and the pCO₂ is lower, the carbon dioxide dissociates from carbamino-hemoglobin. Therefore, carbon dioxide that is bound to hemoglobin is liberated in the alveoli.

5. What will be the pO₂ and pCO₂ in the atmospheric air compared to those in the alveolar air?

(i) pO₂ lesser, pCO₂ higher

(ii) pO₂ higher, pCO₂ lesser

(iii) pO₂ higher, pCO₂ higher

(iv) pO₂ lesser, pCO₂ lesser

The pO₂ and pCO₂ in the atmospheric air compared to those in the alveolar air will be:

(ii) pO₂ higher, pCO₂ lesser

In a mixture of gases, each gas exerts a pressure known as partial pressure. These gases always diffuse across the pressure gradient. Oxygen permeates easily into the lungs when the level of pO₂ is higher in the atmosphere. Likewise, carbon dioxide can diffuse out of the body easily if the pCO₂ level is lower in the atmosphere.

6. Explain the process of inspiration under normal conditions.

The process by which fresh air enters the lungs is known as inspiration. When the intrapulmonary pressure (pressure in the lungs) is lesser than the atmospheric pressure, inspiration takes place. The muscles of the diaphragm, external intercostal muscles, and abdominal muscles are referred to as the inspiratory muscles which bring about the process of inspiration.

The muscles of the diaphragm contract, pulling the diaphragm downwards to the abdominal cavity, causing it to become flat which results in an increase in the thoracic cavity in the anteroposterior direction. The contraction of the external intercostal muscles lifts up the ribs and the sternum resulting in the expansion of the thoracic chamber, in a dorsal-ventral orientation.

This overall increase in the thoracic volume increases the pulmonary volume which in turn causes the decrease of pressure in the lungs. The atmospheric pressure expels air from outwards into the lungs. To compress the abdominal organs, the abdominal muscles relax which causes an escalation in the strength of the inspiration.

7. How is respiration regulated?

The medulla region of the brain having the respiratory rhythm center, is chiefly responsible for the regulation process of respiration. The function performed by the respiratory rhythm center can be altered by the pneumatic center through signals to reduce the inspiration rate. The chemo-sensitive area located near the respiratory center is sensitive to hydrogen ions and carbon dioxide. This region then sends signals to alter the rate of expiration to eliminate compounds.

The levels of carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions in the blood is detected by the receptors located in the carotid artery and the aorta. As the carbon dioxide level increases, the respiratory center sends nerve impulses for the required changes.

8. What is the effect of pCO₂ on oxygen transport?

pCO₂ has a crucial role to play in the process of oxygen transport. As a result of low pCO₂ levels in the alveoli, oxygen tends to bind with the hemoglobin, to form Oxyhemoglobin. Higher levels of pCO₂ and lower level of pO₂ in the tissues promote the dissociation of oxygen from Oxyhemoglobin. The level of pCO₂ is low at the surface of the lungs, here O₂ binds with the hemoglobin and dissociates at the tissue grade, where the level of pCO₂ is higher.

9. What happens to the respiratory process in a man going up a hill?

As we go up higher, the altitude increases. At this altitude, the concentration of atmospheric oxygen is lesser, which means to say that the partial pressure of oxygen declines. This situation of inadequate oxygen-supply, demands more oxygen. In order to increase the supply of oxygen to the blood, the man begins to breathe rapidly. Therefore, it causes an increase in the heart rate to be able to meet the demand for oxygen supply.

10. What is the site of gaseous exchange in an insect?

The respiratory organ of insects is the trachea. Trachea has openings known as spiracles through which air enters. Spiracles are located on either side of the abdomen of the insect. A pair of spiracles are found on each segment of the abdomen. Furthermore, the trachea branches into smaller tubes until they reach the level of tissues. The oxygen that enters the trachea is exchanged by diffusion with the tissues. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide that reaches the trachea from the tissues is forced out of the body.

11. Define the oxygen dissociation curve. Can you suggest any reason for its sigmoidal pattern?

A graph is attained when the percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen is plotted against the partial pressure of oxygen.

The affinity of the second molecule of oxygen escalates when the first molecule of oxygen binds to hemoglobin. This is why the Oxyhemoglobin formation is rapid and is represented by the steep slope of the S-curve as observed. When the formation of Oxyhemoglobin comes to a halt, or when hemoglobin molecules are not available for binding, the curve attains a plateau phase.

12. Have you heard about hypoxia? Try to gather information about it, and discuss it with your friends.

Hypoxia is a pathological condition wherein the body on the whole or a part of the body is not supplied with sufficient oxygen.

Hypoxia is of different types, namely:

1. Cytotoxic hypoxia – caused by cyanide poisoning

2. Anaemic hypoxia – caused by deficiency of hemoglobin

3. Hypoxic hypoxia – caused due to insufficient oxygen in the atmosphere

4. Stagnant hypoxia – caused by reduced pumping activity of the heart or heart failure

5. Carbon monoxide poisoning – Irreversible binding of CO to hemoglobin and reduced oxygen transport.

Symptoms:

1. Shortness of breath

2. Rapid heart rate

3. Rapid breathing

4. Anxiousness

5. Lethargy

6. Difficulty in communicating

7. Confusion

Hypoxia is caused due to the following reasons:

1. The concentration of oxygen is low at higher altitudes which may lead to hypoxia

2. Hypoxia may also arise due to any of these respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, emphysema, or asthma

3. Hypoxia can also be caused due to anemia which is linked to a lesser number of red blood cells

4. It may arise due to heart problems such as tachycardia

13. Distinguish between

(a) IRV and ERV

(b) Inspiratory capacity and Expiratory capacity.

(c) Vital capacity and Total lung capacity.

The differences are as follows:

(a) IRV and ERV

(b) Inspiratory capacity and Expiratory capacity

(c) Vital capacity and Total lung capacity

14. What is Tidal volume? Find out the Tidal volume (approximate value) for a healthy human in an hour.

During normal respiration, the volume of air expired or inspired is referred to as tidal volume (TV). The tidal volume is approximately 500ml for a healthy individual. A healthy individual can expire or inspire nearly 6000-8000ml of air per minute or around 12-16 times a minute.  Hence, the tidal volume for a healthy man in an hour approximately can be between 3,60,000 ml and 4,80,000 ml.

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