VAIRAMS PUBLIC SCHOOL

BIOLOGY: RESPIRATION IN ORGANISMS

GRADE 7
NOTES

BY: Ms. Yamuna

 NAME: ____________ GRADE: VII DATE: ________

SCIENCE : RESPIRATION IN ORGANISMS

All living things need energy to live.
Respiration is the process of using oxygen to break down food to release
energy, carbon dioxide and water.
Respiration in humans
In human beings, the process of respiration involves breathing, gaseous
exchange and cellular respiration. What is cellular respiration?
Respiratory system in Human beings: •Cellular respiration can be defined as the process in which the food
•The organ for respiration in human beings are as follows: that we eat is broken down inside the cells which results in the
Nasal cavity release of energy. All the cells in living organisms undergo cellular
•Pharynx
respiration.
•Trachea (windpipe)
•The cellular respiration takes place in a cell organelle called
•Lungs (bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli)
•Diaphragm
mitochondria.

Lungs are present in the chest cavity, which is surrounded by ribs on the sides. •The oxygen that an organism breathes in reacts with the
The ribs form a cage-like structure called the ribcage. A large muscular sheet carbohydrates (glucose) present in the food and results in the release
called diaphragm forms the base of the ribcage. The diaphragm contract and of carbon dioxide, water and energy.
relax all the time.
 Cellular Respiration

Anaerobic Respiration in Yeast

Types of respiration
Anaerobic Respiration in Muscles Releases Lactic Acid
Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration

1. This kind of respiration takes place 1. This type of respiration happens in

in the presence of oxygen. the cells in the absence of oxygen.

2. It leads to release of a high amount

2. It results in a low amount of energy.
of energy in living organisms.

3. Human beings and many other 3. Yeast and sometimes human beings
animals undergo aerobic respiration. undergo anaerobic respiration.
4. Animal muscle cells release lactic
4. Carbon dioxide and water are also
acid and Yeasts release ethanol and
released in aerobic respiration.
carbon dioxide in anaerobic respiration

Respiration in Leaves through Stomata

Aerobic Respiration in Animals
Breathing:
•Breathing can be defined as a process in which organisms, with the help of
their respiratory organs, take in the oxygen-rich air present in the
surroundings and release out air that contains high amount of carbon
dioxide in it. Breathing occurs continuously in the organisms.

•Inhalation or Inspiration: is the process of taking the air that contains

oxygen inside the body.
•Exhalation or Expiration: is a process of releasing out air that contains
carbon dioxide out of the body. Inhalation and exhalation take place
alternatively in the breathing process.
•Breathing in cockroach:
•Breathing rate can be defined as the number of times a person breathes in •Many insects like Cockroaches have small openings called spiracles present
on the sides of the bodies.
a minute.
•Also, they have an air tube-like structure called the trachea that allows the
•The breathing rate is not always constant in human beings. We generally exchange of gases in these insects.
•The air enters the body through the spiracles and diffuses in the cells via the
breathe faster when our body needs more energy for example while exercising.
trachea.
•This is so because the body needs more oxygen that can break down the •Similarly, the air from the cells enters the trachea and moves out of the body
through spiracles.
food and produce more energy.
•An average adult human being breeds 15 to 18 times in a minute. While
exercising, this rate can change up to 25 times a minute.
•Breathing in earthworms: Respiration in plants
• Earthworms have a soft, slimming and moist skin.
• Hence the gases can easily pass in and out of the earthworm through
its skin.
• Similarly, frogs also have a slippery and moist skin that can help in
breathing. However, frogs contain lungs too.

•Breathing underwater
• Animals that live underwater have special respiratory organs called The woody stems of the plants also respire. This is because of the presence
gills. of special tissue called Lenticels. The cells of this tissue have large
• They are a comb-like structure present on the skin of these animals. intercellular spaces. They exist as dead cells on woody plants and roots and
• Gills allow the exchange of gases between animals and the water allow the exchange of gases. The bark of trees although is impermeable to
easily. gases hence these tissues serve an important purpose of respiration in the
• Some animals called the amphibians can breathe on land by lungs stems. As the name suggests, lenticels have a lens-like shape.
and through moist skin under water. For example frogs and toads.
Why plants can die if overwatered?
POINTSTO KNOW
•We know that the roots get oxygen from the soil. 1. When is the breathing rate at its lowest?
•We also understand that the air in the soil is present between the soil
particles. Sol: The breathing rate is at its lowest during the night because our body is
•Along with the air, soil also contains some water or moisture. in rest at night.
•If we over-water the plants the spaces between the soil particles get
clogged. 2. In which human part, anaerobic respiration can take place?
•As a result, the roots will not be able to get enough air and the plant can
die. Sol: Anaerobic respiration in humans can take place in muscles.

3. Respiratory system in higher organisms is divided into two parts-

● Associate organs ● Main organs

Associate Organs :
1. Nostril
2. Throat and Pharynx
3. Larynx
4. Bronchi
5. The Thoracic Cavity and Diaphragm

Main organs : Lungs

4. In the normal expiration, the diaphragm is:

a. Arched b. Flattened c. Not involved d. Perforated

Sol: a. Arched
5. Respiration in Animals :

Through Plasma Membrane In unicellular animals, such as

amoeba, exchange of gases takes place through cell surface. They
absorb oxygen from the surrounding air or water and give out carbon
dioxide through plasma membrane by diffusion.
7. Through Body Wall or Skin :
Tapeworms, earthworms, and leeches use their skin for the exchange of
gases. The skin of Earthworms is very thin and moistened. Many blood cells
are spread on this skin. These blood cells are known as capillaries. The
exchange of gases occurs at capillaries. They die of suffocation if their skin
is dried up.

8. Through Tracheal System:

In insects like cockroaches, grasshopper, transportation of gas or gaseous
exchange take place by a special type of fine tubes is called tracheae.

6. Amphibians such as frogs use more than one organ of respiration

during their life. They breathe through gills while they are tadpoles.
Mature frogs breathe mainly with lungs and also exchange gas with the
environment through skin.
9. Through Gills: 12. From where do roots absorb air needed for respiration?
A majority of aquatic animals like fish and prawns breathe through Ans: Root hairs .
special organs called gills. Gills are projections of the skin that help in
using oxygen dissolved in water. Gills contain blood vessels which help 13. Name the tiny pores on the surface of leaves of a plant through which
in exchange of gases. gas exchange occurs.
Ans: Stomata
10. Through lungs:
Amphibians, mammals, and birds exchange gases through special 14. Name any two parts of the plant through which exchange of gases
respiratory organs called lungs. Lungs are air-filled sac-like structures in takes place during respiration.
the chest cavity. They are connected to the outside by a series of tubes Ans: Roots and Leaves.
and small opening.

11. Fishes absorb oxygen from ?

a. air b. water c. earth d. none of above
Sol: b. water. Fishes live in water. To get oxygen dissolved in water, fish gulp
water through the mouth and pump it over the gills. Water passes into the
gill chamber through gill slits. In each chamber, the water passes over the
filaments. They absorb oxygen from the water and replace it with carbon
dioxide formed.