oxygen is neccessry for life. We absorb oxygen i nour body through breathing. This gas dissolves with other chemical elements immediately. This gas is is absorbed in our blood and directly after chemical reaction with food gives us energy.It helps in burning all kinds of energy sources. For example, coal, Natural gas,etc.\
To understand that human beings (as well as other animals) perform the respiration process because we need air to breathe and because oxygen is ultimately the fuel that allows our cells to produce energy from the food we eat.
CONTEXT
The main focus of this lesson is to review the basics of respiration (breathing) and to teach students the importance of oxygen to the human body. To burn food for the release of energy stored in it, oxygen must be supplied to cells, and carbon dioxide removed. Lungs take in oxygen for the combustion of food and they eliminate the carbon dioxide produced. It is also important to point out to the students that a lack of oxygen or breathing pure oxygen is detrimental to our health. Another focal point of this lesson is that respiration is fundamental for our health and overall fitness. In fact, our bodies can use oxygen more efficiently if we exercise and eat properly.
PLANNING AHEAD
This lesson may need to be taught over two or three class periods. There is a brief experiment performed in the Development where students should light a candle. You could choose to do this as a demonstration instead, in which case you would just need one candle, a match, and a glass or jar.
MOTIVATION
Ask one student to come to the front of the class to blow up a balloon. He/she should hold it and then allow it to deflate. Then ask: “What organ in your body is similar to a balloon?” (The lungs.)
Refer students to the Oxygen Machine student esheet, which will guide them to The Mystery of Mallory & Irvine '24 on the PBS website. After students have read the story, discuss the questions posed on the esheet (students can record their answers on The Oxygen Machine student sheet). Use these questions to get students started in thinking about oxygen and the body. Do not worry so much at this point about right or wrong answers.