Ngee Ann Secondary School

Secondary One Express

Science – Biology Module
Topic: Staying Alive - Respiration

Name: _______________________________ ( ) Date: _________

Class: Sec ______

Understanding Goals
Respiration
1. Students will understand that aerobic respiration is the process by which
oxygen is needed to break down the food molecules to release energy.
2. Students will show an understanding of the importance of aerobic respiration
and construct a word equation for aerobic respiration.
3. Students will understand that anaerobic respiration is the release of energy
from a foodstuff in a form cells can use in the absence of oxygen.
4. Students will understand the similarities and differences between aerobic
respiration and anaerobic respiration.

Part 1: Engagement
Discuss with your partner and complete the table below.

What do you already know about What do you wish to explore about
Respiration? Respiration?
(at least 3-5 facts) Write at least 3-5 questions below

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Part 2: Exploration & Explanation

Experiment 1: Comparison between Inspired and Expired Air (Part A)

Aim: To compare the amount of carbon dioxide in inspired (inhaled) and expired
(exhaled) air.

Procedures:
1. Fit two conical flasks, containing about the same volume of limewater, with
glass tubings as shown in the diagram below.

2. Place the open end of the T-tube in the mouth and breathe air in and out
through the mouth for at least 3-5 minutes. As air is breathed in, inspired air is
drawn into Tube C. When air is breathed out, the expired air passes through
tube E into the limewater in flask B and out to the atmosphere through tube F.

What do you observe in the two flasks after a few minutes?

……………………………………………………………………………………….....
.

………………………………………………………………………………………….
.

What is the role of limewater in the experiment?

……………………………………………………………………………………….....
.

………………………………………………………………………………………….
.

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 What can you conclude from this experiment?

………………………………………………………………………………………....

………………………………………………………………………………………….
.
Experiment 2: Comparison between Inspired and Expired Air (Part B)

Aim: To compare the water content and temperature of inspired and expired air

Procedures:
1. Take two pieces of dry cobalt chloride paper (blue) from a desiccator. It is
important that the cobalt chloride paper is dry before the start of the
experiment.

Background information
Cobalt chloride paper is used to indicate the presence of water through the
change of colour from blue to pink.

2. Hold one piece of the paper with a pair of forceps and wave it gently in the air.
3. Hold the other piece close to the mouth and blow some air onto in for some
time.

What changes take place in each of the two pieces of paper?

……………………………………………………………………………………….....
.

………………………………………………………………………………………….
.

Why do we need to ensure that the cobalt chloride paper is completely dry
before the start of the experiment?

……………………………………………………………………………………….....
.

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 ………………………………………………………………………………………….
.

What can you conclude from this experiment?

……………………………………………………………………………………….....
.

………………………………………………………………………………………….
.

Part 3: Extension
Summarise what you have learnt about respiration by drawing a concept map in
the space provided below. You can include illustrations in your concept map too.

Your concept map must answer the following questions:

o What is respiration?
o When does respiration take place?
o Where does it take place?
o How is breathing related to respiration?
o How do plants ‘breathe’?
o What is the equation to represent the process of respiration?