Breathing and respiration

4. Taking on oxygen

Required Resources

• Video: Submarine rescue
• Slide 7

Delivery

• Introduce the core function of breathing, which is to enable the body to take on oxygen and discard carbon dioxide. Explain that efficient breathing will enhance the body's ability to transport more oxygen more quickly to those parts of the body that need it.
• Play Video: Submarine rescue. This sets the context for an explanation of the rescue of Russian submariners from the Priz submarine by Royal Navy personnel in 2005. The Priz became entangled in nets and cables at a depth of 190m on the sea-bed of the Pacific Ocean off Siberia, forcing the crew to Mayday.
• Explain to students that the Russian crew were running out of oxygen and consequently had to try and use as little as possible by remaining calm and as inactive as possible. Discuss with the class the impact that dropping temperatures and increased fear will have had on breathing.
• Present the table on Slide 7 which details the differing make up of the air breathed in and out.

Differentiation

Lower Ability:

Demonstrate the % split of gases in air (breathed in and out) with a practical equivalent, e.g. layers in the classroom (e.g. nitrogen would fill the room to the height of the light switch etc).

Higher Ability:

Ask students to consider the impact of asthma on the body's ability to inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.