Science Module

7 th Grade
Body Systems
Respiratory System

7th Grade Science

 Objective

The student will demonstrate an

understanding of living systems and the
environment – Interdependence occurs
among living systems
 Science Concept

• identify the systems of the human

organism and describe their functions.
 Student Prior Knowledge

• TEKS 6.10 (C) identify how structure

complements function at different levels of
organization including organ and organ
systems.
Background
 Respiratory System
Structures

• Pair of Lungs
• Series of passageways
– Trachea
– Bronchi
– Bronchioles
– Alveoli
• Diaphragm (thin sheet of smooth muscle)
 Respiratory System
Function

• Involves all mechanisms that get O2 to the cells

• Gets rid of CO2
• Formation of ATP for energy
 Path Air Takes

1. Air enters nose or mouth

2. Passes Pharynx
3. Moves past epiglottis
4. Passes through larynx
5. Trachea
6. Lungs and their passageways
 Respiratory System
• I bring in the oxygen that is carried on the
red blood cells…without me you’d have no
oxygen to carry!
• I carry the CO2 (waste gas) out of the body.
• The circulatory system needs me for gas
exchange.
• The muscles need oxygen to move.
• The brain needs
my oxygen to think.
Breathe Easy
 ENGAGE
Engage 1
1. Use the paper towel to clean and dry the mirror.
2. Hold the mirror near, but not touching, your mouth.
3. Exhale onto the mirror two or three times.
4. Examine the surface of the mirror.

•What happens to the mirror?

•Why does the mirror become fogged?
MODEL

EXPLORE
Explore 1
Construct a Lung Model

• Have students work

together in groups to
construct a lung
model

Do-It-Yourself Lung Model

http://student.biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/respiratory/step4.html
 Assemble the “Lungs”
• Step 1

• Step 2
 Construct the “Chest Cavity”

• Step 3

• Step 4
 Prepare the “Diaphragm”

• Step 5

• Step 6
Start “Breathing”
 Breaths per Minute
Explore 2
• BREATHER:
All students sit quietly (lie down if possible) with hands placed over their
stomachs or chests.

• WATCHERS:
The watchers must watch their partners and count the breaths taken in
one minute (count ONE breathe for every time the stomach or chest
rises). Teacher cues the watcher when to begin and when to stop after
60 seconds. After the 60 seconds, watchers tell the breathers how many
breaths were counted. Then all breathers record their at rest information
on the index card or sticky notepaper. Students trade places and repeat
the activity. Next, students do jumping jacks or run in place for 60
seconds before recording breathing rates as described above.
 EXPLAIN
1. In which case did you breathe more? Why?
2. Do you think respiration rate would be faster or
slower if you ran for 10 minutes before counting
breaths?
3. Would there be a difference in your respiration rate if
you checked it when you were sleeping and then
again if you were walking?
4. Why can't we hold our breath for 5 minutes?
5. List at least six components of the respiratory
system.
 ELABORATE
Measuring Lung Capacity
CAUTION: Do not do this activity if you have asthma!

Give identical balloons to pairs of students. Instruct each to blow up a balloon

as much as possible with only one breath. Measure how big around
everyone's balloon is and write down the numbers next to the persons
names. Let air out of balloons and repeat two more times. Take an
average of three tests.

QUESTIONS:
1. Who was able to blow the most air into their balloon?
2. What is it about the person that enables him or her to do this?
3. If you ran in place for 2 - 3 minutes, would you be able to blow as
much air into the balloon? Try it.
 EVALUATE
• Upon completion of the human lung model the student
will explain the mechanism of breathing through the use of
their model, they will name the gases the primary gases
that compose air, and they will name the gases we exhale.
A grade of pass or fail will be given.

• After creating the respiration model the student will list

six components of respiration: Nose, trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles, alveoli, and lung.