Overview

5th Grade Science

Body Systems

5. Respiratory System

5.1 Gas Exchange, Breathing and cellular respiration

Breathe In, Power Up: How Your Body Uses Oxygen to Make Energy

You will discover how every breath you take fuels your cells, how gas exchange works in your lungs, and how cellular respiration turns glucose and oxygen into the energy your body needs.

What You'll Learn

You breathe air through your nose down to your alveoli.

You exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide inside your lungs.

Your cells use oxygen and glucose to release usable energy.

You can connect breathing to circulatory and digestive systems.

What You'll Practice

You will identify respiratory structures and their specific body functions.

You will explain how cellular respiration produces energy and waste.

You will distinguish between breathing and cellular respiration processes.

Why This Matters

Understanding how gas exchange and cellular respiration work helps you explain why every cell in your body needs oxygen and how your respiratory and circulatory systems keep you alive and energized.

This Unit Includes

Practice exercises

Learning resources

Skills

Gas Exchange

Cellular Respiration

Alveoli

Diaphragm

Breathing

NH Curriculum Aligned