Gas Exchange (Edexcel GCSE Biology): Exam Questions

Figure 1 shows a section of an alveolus of the lungs. Certain parts and processes are labelled A-G.

Figure 1

Identify the parts and processes involved in the function of the alveolus as shown in Figure 1. Do not write in the greyed-out boxes.

Each adult lung is estimated to contain 520 million alveoli. 

The estimated overall surface area for gas exchange within the human breathing system is estimated to be 100 m² (100 million mm²).

Calculate the internal surface area of one alveolus from the human breathing system.

Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

One of the ways in which alveoli are adapted to their function is that they secrete a surfactant into the inner lining which also keeps the lining moist.

Give two reasons for secretions of this kind.

Maintaining a high concentration is important to maximise the rate of diffusion across the alveolar surface. 

Describe and explain how a high concentration gradient is maintained between the air in the alveolar space and the blood capillaries that surround an alveolus.

The presence of bronchioles, alveoli and blood capillaries within a lung all reduce its overall volume.

Explain how these structures actually improve the performance of the lung as a gas exchange organ. 

Figure 1 shows three air-breathing animals that evolved at different times of history. 

Figure 1

Place the three animals into a rank order, using the numbers 1-3, for their suggested lung surface area:volume ratios. 

Figure 2 represents Fick's Law of Diffusion.

Figure 2

Join the boxes with straight lines to illustrate which aspect(s) of lung structure and function allows each of the three variables in Fick's Law to be optimised.  

Select the row of the table in Figure 3 that gives the best adaptations for an air-breathing gas exchange system. 

State a reason for your answer. 

Figure 3

Figure 1 shows ciliated epithelial cells from the airways of a human as seen using a light microscope.

Figure 1

(i) Draw the cell labelled A.

Label three parts of this cell on your diagram.

(4)

(ii) State the function of the ciliated epithelial cells in the airways of the human breathing system.

(1)

Figure 2 shows equipment used to investigate the rate of respiration in maggots.

Figure 2

As the maggots respire, the drop of coloured liquid moves towards the test tube.

Figure 3 shows the position of the drop of coloured liquid after ten minutes.

Figure 3

Use information from Figures 2 and 3 to calculate the mean rate of respiration of the maggots in mm per minute.

Explain how alveoli in human lungs are adapted for gas exchange.

Include the names of the gases that are being exchanged.

Particulate matter (PM) refers to the small particles in air pollution which can irritate the airways and cause damage to the alveoli.

If concentrations of PM are high, the epithelium cells of the alveoli may be killed and replaced with unspecialised cells resulting in:

• Fewer functioning alveoli

• Thickening of alveolar walls

Explain how particulate matter could lead to reduced gas exchange in the lungs of humans.

Figure 2 shows the results of an investigation into the concentration of particulate matter and the percentage of dead alveolar epithelium cells after 48 hours of exposure.

Figure 2

Scientists studied 31 080 alveolar epithelium cells in this study.

Calculate how many more cells died after 48 hours of exposure to 1 000 µg cm^-3 of particulate matter than after 48 hours of exposure to 50 µg cm^-3 of particulate matter.

Compare, with examples, the different transport processes involved in moving substances across the cell membrane.

Name the structure in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.

Using your knowledge of the lungs, describe and explain the features of an efficient gas exchange surface.

A student wrote the following statement about how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the lungs and respiring cells:

"In the air sacs, air is absorbed into the blood and is carried around the body to feed cells. The blood is then returned to the lungs where it is cleaned"

Suggest a more accurate and detailed description of how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the lungs and respiring cells.