Respiratory System
Overview
Walk into an overcrowded broiler house near Ogbomoso at midday and you will hear it before you see it: hundreds of birds standing with beaks open, wings held slightly away from the body, breathing fast and shallow. A healthy animal's breathing is something you barely notice. A struggling one announces itself through its breathing long before anything else goes visibly wrong, which is exactly why WAEC expects you to know this system cold.
In this lesson you will trace air on its journey from the nostrils to the alveolus, the microscopic sac where the real work of breathing happens, and learn exactly how oxygen and carbon dioxide swap places there by simple diffusion. You will learn the full range of jobs the respiratory system performs beyond gas exchange, draw a sharp line between external respiration in the lungs and internal respiration inside body cells, and connect all of it to something every farmer must watch for: a rising breathing rate, a cough, or a poorly ventilated house that turns a healthy flock into a sick one.
Objectives
- Define respiration
- Identify the parts of the respiratory system
- Explain the mechanism of gaseous exchange in farm animals
- State the functions of the respiratory system
- Distinguish between external and internal respiration
Mind map
This topic is mapped out so you can see how the ideas connect.
Flashcards
Quick recall practice on the facts this topic is tested on.
Lesson Note
Sign Up to Continue
Create a free account to access all learning resources, practice questions, and track your progress.
Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Respiratory System. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which part of the respiratory system is the actual site of gaseous exchange? A. Trachea B. Bronchus C. Alveolus D. Nostril Answer: C
- The mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs is called: A. Respiration B. Breathing C. Diffusion D. Rumination Answer: B
- During external respiration, oxygen moves from the alveolar air into the blood mainly by: A. Osmosis B. Active transport C. Diffusion D. Filtration Answer: C
- Which of the following best describes internal (cellular) respiration? A. Exchange of gases between alveolar air and blood B. Movement of air into and out of the lungs C. Release of energy from food inside body cells using oxygen D. Filtering of dust by the nostrils Answer: C
- A farmer notices his broilers panting heavily and several coughing in an overcrowded, poorly ventilated house. This is most likely a sign of: A. Normal digestion B. A respiratory problem linked to poor ventilation C. Healthy growth D. Excess appetite Answer: B
Sign Up to Continue
Create a free account to access all learning resources, practice questions, and track your progress.
Sign Up to Continue
Create a free account to access all learning resources, practice questions, and track your progress.
Recommended Books
Revision Questions
Wondering what past questions for this topic looks like? Here are a number of questions about Respiratory System from previous years
Question 1 Report
(a) State four functions of carbohydrates in farm animals.
(b) List four organs associated with respiration in farm animals.
(c) Mention two diseases that affects the respiratory system of farm animals
(d) Define the fol-lowing terms as used in animal physiology: (i) exhalation (ii) inhalation (iii) peristalsis (iv) ovulation (v) rumination.
Answer Details
(a) Four functions of carbohydrates in farm animals
- Provide energy and heat for body activities.
- Excess is stored as fat (reserve energy) and glycogen.
- Spare protein so that it is used for growth rather than energy.
- Provide raw material for the formation of fat and milk.
(b) Four organs associated with respiration
- Nostrils/nose
- Trachea (windpipe)
- Bronchi
- Lungs (also air sacs in birds and the diaphragm)
(c) Two diseases that affect the respiratory system
- Pneumonia
- Chronic respiratory disease (CRD), also infectious bronchitis and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP)
(d) Definitions of terms used in animal physiology
- (i) Exhalation: the breathing out or expulsion of air (rich in carbon dioxide) from the lungs to the atmosphere.
- (ii) Inhalation: the breathing in or taking in of air (rich in oxygen) from the atmosphere into the lungs.
- (iii) Peristalsis: the wave-like rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the muscles of the alimentary canal that moves food along the gut.
- (iv) Ovulation: the release of a mature ovum (egg) from the ovary.
- (v) Rumination: the regurgitation, re-chewing and re-swallowing of cud by a ruminant animal.