Examining links between respiration and body systems Aseel Samaro

Examining links between respiration and body systems Respiration is vital for living things. But respiration in your body relies on your body systems. Consider where the glucose used in respiration comes from and where the carbon dioxide formed during respiration goes to.

Respiration and body systems You have many systems in your body, each with a specific function. The breathing system is responsible for taking oxygen into our bodies and passing carbon dioxide out

The digestive system is responsible for digesting food

The circulatory system is responsible for transporting substances around the body

The functions of all three body systems are linked with respiration. Glucose needed for respiration is produced by the digestion of carbohydrates in the digestive system. Oxygen needed for respiration is brought into the body by the breathing system. Also, carbon dioxide and water produced by respiration are removed by the breathing system. All these reactants and products are carried to and from cells by the circulatory system.

List the three body systems associated with respiration List the three body systems associated with respiration. Describe where glucose is carried from and to by the circulatory system. Suggest why carbon dioxide and water are sometimes described as waste products of respiration.

A weak link Because respiration and some body systems rely on one another, there would be problems if either respiration or the body system did not function properly. For example, if the digestion of carbohydrates is inefficient, there may not be enough glucose for respiration. This results in insufficient energy being released. If the circulatory system is damaged this decreases the amounts of glucose and oxygen delivered to cells. Again, insufficient energy is released in the body.

Describe how a failure of the breathing system could affect respiration. Explain why a decrease in the amount of respiration could negatively affect digestion. Draw a table to explain how a failure in each system (breathing, digestive and circulatory) could negatively affect respiration.

What about plants? Plants make the glucose needed for respiration in their leaves. The glucose is then dissolved and transported around the plant in a system of tubes called phloem. Phloem tubes are sometimes compared with blood vessels in animals. Oxygen enters a plant through pores on the underside of leaves. These pores are called stomata

Suggest which system in animals corresponds to the transport system (by phloem) in plants. Suggest how carbon dioxide leaves a plant.

Did you know…? Plants can store excess glucose as starch in their roots. So, when we eat root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and turnip, we are actually eating the starch storage organ of a plant.

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