Chapter 1.9 (Science and Technology 5)

Human Body: Breathing System

Getting Ready: In the learning activities, we will:

  1. Identify the parts of the human breathing system.
  2. Use visual aids and digital devices to observe, identify and record the parts of the breathing system.
  3. Draw and label the parts of the human breathing system.
  4. State the functions of the parts of the human breathing system.
  5. Identify causes, signs and symptoms of the following diseases that affect the human breathing system:
    • Colds
    • Influenza
    • Tuberculosis
    • Pneumonia
    • Asthma
    • Coughs
  6. Identify ways of preventing diseases that affect the human breathing system.
  7. Develop Interest: Find out more about ways of preventing diseases that affect the breathing system. We will share this information with other learners, our family members, our friends at home and in school, and people in our communities.
  8. Do a project: Use locally available materials to model the breathing system.

Activity 1.98: Learning new words

Language link: Learn the meaning of these words:

Identifying the Parts of the Human Breathing System

Activity 1.99: Discovering how air is important for human beings

Air is important for human beings. It keeps us alive. Work safely in pairs. Answer these questions: How do our bodies take in air? How do our bodies get rid of stale air?

Choose to care for the environment: We breathe in air. We must protect our surroundings against air pollution. Share this message: Tell people in your community the importance of clean air.

Activity 1.100: How our bodies take in air

We cannot see the organs of our breathing system. But we can feel them as they work. Place your hands on your chest and the belly area. Breathe in very deeply. Breathe out. What do you feel? Discuss it with a friend.

Learn more. Grow. Share the knowledge with your family and community members

How do we get air into and out of our bodies?

  1. When you breathe in, you feel your chest getting slightly bigger. When you breathe out, you feel your chest return to its normal size.
  2. The organs that receive and hold air in the body are the lungs.
  3. When you go for your Physical and Health Education (PHE) lessons, do this breathing exercise: Breathe in deeply. Breathe out to get rid of stale air. Teach others in your community how to breathe deeply.

Activity 1.101: Identifying the parts of the breathing system

Work safely in groups. Use the Internet to search for information, images and videos about the human breathing system. Identify the parts of the breathing system. Share the knowledge with others.

Digital Lesson

Access Digital Lesson 6: The Parts of the Human Breathing System

Source. YouTube Channel: CBC Online Academy

  • Left lung
  • Nose
  • Right lung
  • Trachea
  • Diaphragm
  • Nostril

Work safely in groups. Read the functions of the parts described in the speech bubbles. Identify the parts labelled 1 to 6.

COVID-19 affects the breathing system: It is spread by the coronavirus. Search the Internet for more information about it. Share this knowledge with others in your community.

Activity 1.104: Discovering more about the functions of the parts of the breathing system

What are the functions of the parts of the breathing system?

  • All the parts of the breathing system play a role in the breathing process. Air gets into the breathing system through the nostrils, two holes in the nose.
  • The nose has mucus and hairs that trap dirt and germs that are present in the air. The mucus also moistens and warms the air.
  • The air then enters the trachea, which is also known as the windpipe. It has C-shaped rings that keep it open to allow air to pass into the lungs.
  • The trachea divides into two branches, each known as a bronchus. Together, the two are called bronchi.
  • They further divide into smaller tubes called bronchioles.
  • There are two lungs, one on the left and one on right side of the chest. Inside the lungs, the body takes in oxygen from the air and releases carbon dioxide into the lungs. This is known as gaseous exchange. It takes place in the air sacs. Each lung has millions of air sacs.
  • From the air sacs, oxygen is taken into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is breathed out.
  • The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle found between the breathing system and the abdomen. It allows lungs to contract and expand during the breathing process.

Take care of your breathing system: Newspapers, radio, television and social media have information about COVID-19. How can you protect yourself and others? Share this information widely.

Check your progress

1. Trace the diagram below in your drawing book.
2. What does the diagram show?

3. Label the parts numbered 1 to 5.

1 – 

2 – 

3 – 

4 – 

5 – 

4. The following are parts of the breathing system. Spell the words correctly.
  • IONRSTL – 
  • ESNO – 
  • AHTRCAE – 
  • GUNL – 
  • AMDIPAHRG – 
5. Select any three parts you have labelled in the diagram above. Describe their function.

Diseases of the Breathing System

Activity 1.105: What diseases affect the human breathing system?

Activity 1.106: Creating messages on diseases that affect the breathing system

Create messages on disease prevention. Share them with family members and the community.

Activity 1.107: Summarising the causes, signs and symptoms and prevention of diseases that affect the breathing system

Work safely in groups. Match the pictures below to the diseases of the breathing system labelled 1 to 6. The disease labelled 5 has been matched for you.

Activity 1.108: Summarising the causes, signs and symptoms and prevention of the diseases that affect the breathing system

Work safely in groups. Create small notebooks. In each notebook, summarise your findings about the following diseases that affect the breathing system: colds, influenza, tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma and coughs. Share the notebooks with your family and community members.

The common cold and influenza

Activity 1.109: Discussing the causes, signs and symptoms, the spread and prevention of the common cold

Amani catches the common cold

Read this story.

Amani's deskmate was coughing and sneezing. The next day Amani was also coughing and sneezing when she woke up. She could not go to school. Her father called the teacher to report that Amani would be taken to hospital.

When the doctor examined her, she said that Amani was suffering from a disease that affects the breathing system. She was suffering from the common cold. She explained that Amani had become infected with the disease through air or touching her face after shaking hands with her deskmate. The doctor said that Amani had contracted the common cold.

The doctor advised her to be washing her hands regularly with soap and water for about 20 to 30 seconds. The doctor also advised Amani against shaking people's hands and touching her face. She was also told to cover her mouth with a handkerchief when coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose.

From the story, answer these questions:

  1. What does this mean: "Amani contracted" the common cold?
  2. How did Amani contract the common cold?
  3. Discuss the signs and symptoms of the common cold.
  4. In what ways can we prevent the spread of the common cold?
  5. Describe how we should wash our hands properly.

Washing hands often: The doctor advised Amani against shaking people’s hands. In what other ways can people greet each other? Share your ideas.

Activity 1.110(a): Discussing influenza and its prevention

Penda is down with the flu

Read this story.

One day, Penda came to school feeling unwell. He was coughing and sneezing. He also had a runny nose. His body was aching. He mentioned that his cousin had visited their home. He had stayed for three days. He had the same signs and symptoms.

One learner suggested that Penda was suffering from the common cold. The teacher advised him to visit the school clinic, where the doctor examined him. The doctor found out that Penda did not have the common cold. He had influenza, also known as the flu.

The doctor explained that unlike the common cold, influenza causes body aches and coughing. The doctor also explained that just like with the common cold, someone suffering from influenza may also have a runny nose. The patient may also sneeze, have nausea and suffer a sore throat.

The doctor advised Penda to be washing his hands often with soap and water for about 20 seconds or more. She also advised that healthy people should stay away from people with the flu. The doctor also discouraged Penda from shaking people's hands.

From the story, answer these questions:

  1. Penda was unwell. What was the illness? What caused it?
  2. What were the signs and symptoms of the illness that Penda suffered?
  3. How can we prevent the spread of influenza? What is the short form of influenza?
  4. What did the doctor say about shaking and washing hands?

Rethinking shaking of hands: With the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, people worldwide are accepting that we do not have to shake hands as a form of greeting. What other traditions must we abandon to prevent the spread of germs?

Involve your Family. Serve your Community. Ask to find out. Learn. Share. Grow. Solve problems.

Some facts about the colds and influenza 

Write down some important facts about influenza. Share the messages with family members, friends and the community.

Activity 1.110(b): Find out the difference in the signs and symptoms of the common cold and influenza

Asthma, pneumonia and tuberculosis

Activity 1.111: Discussing the causes, signs and symptoms, and prevention of asthma

Mogonjwa suffers an asthma attack

Read this story. 

It was a cold and chilly day. Mogonjwa forgot to carry her inhaler to school. Two years earlier, she had started breathing with difficulty. The doctor's tests had shown that she was asthmatic. Since then, she had been using an inhaler. 

This morning she forgot to carry it with her. She suffered an attack. She had difficulty breathing. She was producing a wheezing sound. She also felt suffocated. The teacher got an inhaler from the school nurse. Mogonjwa sprayed it through her mouth. The teacher told the learners in her class to remain calm. She explained that asthma is as a result of infection of the lungs. She added that allergy to dust, animal fur, smells, some foods and pollen from flowers can also trigger an asthma attack. Mogonjwa recovered. She was able to learn and play with other learners during the rest of the day.

From the story, answer these questions:

  1. How can you tell that someone has suffered an asthmatic attack?
  2. What are the causes or triggers of asthma?
  3. What can a patient use to manage asthma?
  4. Use the Internet to search for more information about the causes, symptoms and prevention of asthma.

Involve your Family. Serve your Community. Ask to find out. Learn. Share. Grow. Solve problems.

Some facts about asthma

Write down some important facts about asthma. Share the messages with family members, friends and the community.

Activity 1.112: Discussing pneumonia and its prevention

Kazuri suffers pneumonia

Kazuri was unwell. She had these symptoms: coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and low body temperature. She also felt tired and had trouble breathing. The mother took her to hospital.

After a medical examination, the doctor explained that Kazuri had pneumonia, which is a disease of the breathing system. The lungs were infected. The air sacs were filled up with pus and other fluids.

The doctor explained that one suffers pneumonia after being exposed to the germs that cause the disease. This can occur through coughs or sneezes, or sharing of common utensils with an infected person, or touching a handkerchief or other items previously touched by someone with pneumonia. The pus and the fluids cause blockage in the lungs. This prevents the circulation of oxygen to all the body organs through the bloodstream.

It is important to wash hands, especially after coming into contact with someone suffering from pneumonia. Important information: With the outbreak of COVID-19 that is caused by the coronavirus, shaking of hands has been discouraged by medical experts. Physical distancing and wearing of masks to cover the mouth and nose help to protect the spread of coronavirus.

From the story, answer these questions:

  1. What causes pneumonia? What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia? How can you prevent the spread of pneumonia?
  2. Use the Internet to search for more information about the causes, symptoms and prevention of pneumonia.

Some facts about pneumonia

Write down and share some important facts about pneumonia.

Activity 1.113: Discussing the causes of tuberculosis (TB)

Work safely in pairs. Study these pictures. Talk about them.

Activity 1.115: Discussing the prevention of tuberculosis

Use digital devices connected to Internet to search for ways of preventing the spread of tuberculosis.

Some facts about tuberculosis

  • Tuberculosis spread through air. Tuberculosis germs could be present in cough spit, saliva droplets or sneezes. They are also spread through infected cow milk and sharing cups or utensils with an infected person.
  • The signs and symptoms include coughing, chest pain, weight loss and fever. To prevent the spread of tuberculosis, avoid sharing cups or eating from a common plate with an infected person. Ensure there is good air circulation in the room. Boil milk before drinking.
  • Tuberculosis is managed through treatment and vaccination.

Involve your Family. Serve your Community. Ask to find out. Learn. Share. Grow. Solve problems.

Find out from your family members. Has anyone in the family ever suffered from tuberculosis? How was the patient managed to prevent the spread of the disease?

Coughs

Activity 1.116: Researching on the causes, signs and symptoms, and prevention of coughs

Study pictures 1 to 9. They show some causes of coughs. State if the statement under each picture is TRUE or FALSE. Tick the true statements.

If you suffer a disturbing cough, go for a medical test. Health experts have reported that coughing is a sign of COVID-19.

Some facts about coughs

  • A cough is not a disease. It is a sign of a problem in the breathing system. Coughing helps to clear the airways which may be blocked by wet or solidified mucus as a result of an infection.
  • Smoke, dust and some gases may irritate the breathing system causing a cough. A cough is sign of illnesses such as asthma, the flu, colds, tuberculosis, pneumonia and COVID-19.
  • To prevent coughing that is caused by dust or other air impurities, wear a mask when working in such polluted areas.
  • Avoid areas with substances that cause allergy such as smoke, dust, pollen and irritating smells.

Involve your Family. Serve your Community. Ask to find out. Learn. Share. Grow. Solve problems

Activity 1.118: Find out ways of modelling the breathing system

Project: Modelling the breathing system

Activity 1.119: Using locally available materials to model the breathing system

Grade Five learners at Mwangaza School used locally available materials to model the breathing system as shown below:

Discuss these questions in groups: What materials did they use? What happens in Steps 8 and 9? Identify other materials you can use to model the breathing system. Take pictures and videos as you model. Show your model to others.

Self Assessment: Checking My Progress

Use locally available materials to make flashcards. Write these statements on one side of the card:

  1. I can correctly identify all the parts of the breathing system.
  2. I can correctly draw and label all the parts of the human breathing system.
  3. I can state all the functions of the parts of the human breathing system.

Write your answers on the other side. With a partner, check your progress.

Download an unlabelled diagram of the breathing system. Ask the teacher or your parent to print it for you. You can also trace one. Label it correctly to check your progress.