11.1.5

Breathing Composition

Test yourself

Breath Composition

The air that is breathed in is different to the air breathed out. The amount of carbon dioxide in our breath can be tested using a solution called lime water.

Illustrative background for DifferencesIllustrative background for Differences ?? "content

Differences

  • Some of the oxygen that is breathed in is used up in respiration, and the carbon dioxide produced in respiration is breathed out.
  • So air that is breathed out contains less oxygen but more carbon dioxide than air breathed in.
  • The air that is breathed out also has more water vapour in it because the airways are moist inside.
Illustrative background for InvestigateIllustrative background for Investigate ?? "content

Investigate

  • Lime water is a clear solution that turns cloudy when carbon dioxide dissolves in it.
  • An experiment where air that has passed through lime water is breathed in (so the carbon dioxide in the air is not breathed in) and exhaled air passes through lime water and turns it cloudy shows that more carbon dioxide is breathed out.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium