Breathing and respiration
Downloads can take a few minutes, especially for larger files or slower connections.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from the Human digestive system, where they examined how nutrients are broken down and absorbed to support bodily functions. It deepens their understanding by exploring breathing and respiration, focusing on gas exchange and how oxygen is used to release energy from food. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Plant nutrition and photosynthesis, where they will apply their knowledge of respiration to understand the interdependence of respiration and photosynthesis in living organisms.
Prior knowledge requirements
- [Y2] Animals, including humans, need air for survival.
- [Y4, Y6] Humans are made up of different parts with different functions, including organ systems such as the digestive system and circulatory system.
- Living organisms are made up of one or more cells.
- Specialised cells in animals and plants have shapes, sizes and structures that are adapted for the jobs the cells do.
- Muscles have important roles in organ systems.
- Cells contain mitochondria that use food as a fuel to provide energy for life processes.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from the Human digestive system, where they examined how nutrients are broken down and absorbed to support bodily functions. It deepens their understanding by exploring breathing and respiration, focusing on gas exchange and how oxygen is used to release energy from food. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Plant nutrition and photosynthesis, where they will apply their knowledge of respiration to understand the interdependence of respiration and photosynthesis in living organisms.
Prior knowledge requirements
- [Y2] Animals, including humans, need air for survival.
- [Y4, Y6] Humans are made up of different parts with different functions, including organ systems such as the digestive system and circulatory system.
- Living organisms are made up of one or more cells.
- Specialised cells in animals and plants have shapes, sizes and structures that are adapted for the jobs the cells do.
- Muscles have important roles in organ systems.
- Cells contain mitochondria that use food as a fuel to provide energy for life processes.
Biology
Breathing and respiration
This unit explores the human gas exchange system, breathing mechanisms, and adaptations for function. It covers aerobic and anaerobic respiration, including fermentation, and compares their processes and implications. Focus is on accuracy, reliable measurements, and SI units.
8 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Breathing and respiration unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our secondary science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for secondary science programmes.