Gas Exchange Answers
In the human body, gas exchange is required for a constant supply of oxygen and removal
of waste gases.
1. On the diagram below, draw the pathway of air entering the lungs. Ensure you include at
least three arrows showing direction of movement.
Allow any arrow entering the nose or mouth.
At least one arrow should go down the trachea.
Allow an arrow in either lung and in the direction of the alveoli from the bronchi.
2. Which gas does the body need to remove from the bloodstream?
carbon dioxide
3. Name the process by which oxygen and waste gases are exchanged between the alveoli
and the bloodstream within the capillaries.
diffusion
4. Name the part of the blood that carries oxygen.
red blood cell/haemoglobin
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Gas Exchange Answers
5. On the diagram below, label:
a) the oxygenated blood
b) the deoxygenated blood
carbon dioxide oxygen
deoxygenated
blood
oxygenated
blood
6. Colour the arrows that represent the movement of oxygen in blue. Label these arrows.
7. Label the second set of arrows with the name of the waste gas. Colour these arrows in
green.
8. Describe how the following adaptations allow for efficient gas exchange.
a) Alveoli provide a large surface area.
To allow more oxygen and carbon dioxide (gases) to be exchanged at once.
b) Alveoli have walls which are one cell thick.
The gases diffuse across a short distance.
c) Alveoli have moist walls.
This helps gases to pass/diffuse across the cell membrane.
d) Alveoli have walls which allow substances to pass through, in and out.
Oxygen can enter the red blood cells within the bloodstream and carbon dioxide
can diffuse out of the bloodstream and into the alveoli.
e) Alveoli have a good blood supply surrounding them.
The bloodstream continuously replaces deoxygenated blood, allowing for a
constant diffusion of carbon dioxide out of the bloodstream and oxygen in.
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