The process of oxygen diffusing from the lungs into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffusing from the blood to the lungs.

The process in which air moves in and out of the lungs.

A pair of organs in the respiratory system of humans, and many animals, that provide a gas exchange surface for oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Tiny air sacs in the lungs that carry out gas exchange.

The gas exchange system in healthy humans

Science

Pupils will learn more about non-communicable diseases in humans including cardiovascular diseases and cancer; and about communicable diseases in humans and plants caused by pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists.

Pupils learned about the major food groups, eating a balanced diet and how it affects health. Pupils also looked at food labels and calculated the amount of energy provided by different foods and investigated the effects of exercise on heart rate and breathing rate.

This unit explores the human gas exchange system, focusing on the impact of exercise, asthma, smoking, recreational drugs, and the differences between infectious and non-infectious diseases. It emphasises understanding scientific methods, evidence, risk evaluation, and peer review importance.

Disease and drugs

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

True or false? The small air sacs found in the lungs are known as bronchioles.

What are the rings around the trachea made from?

During {{}} the intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract.

What do alveoli have to maintain a concentration gradient?

The lungs need to excrete {{}} as it is a waste product of respiration.

the ribcage moves upwards and outwards and the diaphragm contracts and flattens

Put the statements in the right order to describe inhalation.

What is the scientific name for the windpipe?

Which measurements do you need to calculate breathing rate?

The surface area of the rectangle is {{}} cm².

If the volume of a box gets smaller, the pressure inside will ...

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The gas exchange system in healthy humans

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.