TheLearnDenYear 7 · Science
Gas Exchange Systems Breathing
Year 7 learners practise how the breathing system and lungs work.
The activities include Compare Data on the Effects of Age, Asthma and Smoking on Total Lung Capacity, Describe How a Bell Jar Can Be Used as a Model of Breathing, Describe the Breathing System, and related practice. The checked support below includes video, lesson, teaching, worksheet. Open a resource in its provider's website and choose the format that best helps the learner explain the idea independently.
Understand the key idea
Breathing ventilates the lungs by changing pressure and moving air in and out. Gas exchange happens at the alveoli, where oxygen moves into the blood and carbon dioxide moves out.
Common mix-up
Breathing and gas exchange are related but different: breathing moves air, while gas exchange moves gases between the alveoli and blood.
Try this first
- Label the main structures of the breathing system.
- Describe how the diaphragm and rib cage change pressure during inhalation and exhalation.
- Use a model or lung-volume data to explain what it shows and where its limitations lie.
Ask: What is the difference between moving air into the lungs and exchanging gases at the alveoli?
Activities covered
- Compare Data on the Effects of Age, Asthma and Smoking on Total Lung Capacity
- Describe How a Bell Jar Can Be Used as a Model of Breathing
- Describe the Breathing System
- Evaluate the Bell Jar Model for Breathing
- Explain How to Measure Lung Volume
- Interpret Data When Investigating Total Lung Capacity
Checked learning resources
-
Oak lesson video: The Human Gas Exchange System And Breathing
Oak National Academy · Video · Opens on the provider website
KS3 science video lesson. I can describe how humans breathe, including the roles of different parts of the gas exchange system. The structures and functions of the gas exchange system in humans. The mechanism of breathin
-
Mechanism of Breathing Model Teacher Demonstration Guide
Twinkl · Lesson · Account may be required
KS3 bell-jar balloon model guide includes differentiated worksheets that ask learners to explain and evaluate the model, identify limitations and use pressure ideas.
-
Oak lesson slides: The Human Gas Exchange System And Breathing
Oak National Academy · Teaching · Opens on the provider website
KS3 science lesson. I can describe how humans breathe, including the roles of different parts of the gas exchange system. The structures and functions of the gas exchange system in humans. The mechanism of breathing, inc
-
Oak worksheet: The Human Gas Exchange System And Breathing
Oak National Academy · Worksheet · Opens on the provider website
KS3 science lesson. I can describe how humans breathe, including the roles of different parts of the gas exchange system. The structures and functions of the gas exchange system in humans. The mechanism of breathing, inc
-
Respiration and gas exchange - KS3 Biology
BBC Bitesize · Lesson · Opens on the provider website
Year 7 Science resource matched to how the breathing system and lungs work.
-
The effect of asthma, smoking and exercise on the gas exchange system - Respiration and gas exchange - Biology
BBC Bitesize · Video · Opens on the provider website
How does asthma, smoking or exercise impact the gas exchange system? Find out more with BBC Bitesize. For students between the ages of 11 and 14. Key points Asthma How does asthma affect the gas exchange system? Smoking
-
Oak lesson video: Estimating Lung Volume
Oak National Academy · Video · Opens on the provider website
KS3 science video lesson. I can describe how to use simple apparatus to estimate lung volume. The vital capacity of the lungs is the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after inhaling fully. How to measure vital ca
-
How to measure your lung capacity - Respiration and gas exchange
BBC Bitesize · Video · Opens on the provider website
The lungs take in air. Lung capacity can be measured using a plastic bottle. Find out more with Bitesize. For students between the ages of 11 and 14. Key points Video - Lung capacity Have a go What happens when we exhale