How can you tell they’ve got it: Gas Exchange & Breathing?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Labels a diagram of the lungs showing trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli; Explains that breathing in lowers air pressure in the chest and air rushes in; Describes how the structure of alveoli (large surface area, thin walls, good blood supply) aids gas exchange. Or just try it together: If your child took a deep breath after running, could they explain what's happening in their lungs — how the air gets in, where the oxygen crosses into the blood, and how carbon dioxide leaves?

Science Organisms & Life Processes Ages 12–13

Gas Exchange & Breathing

Your child can explain what happens in the lungs. Air flows down to tiny sacs. There, oxygen passes into the blood and carbon dioxide passes out to be breathed away.

In curriculum terms

Describe the structure of the human gas exchange system (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli) and explain how the mechanism of breathing — using pressure changes from rib and diaphragm movement — moves air in and out of the lungs

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Labels a diagram of the lungs showing trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli
Explains that breathing in lowers air pressure in the chest and air rushes in
Describes how the structure of alveoli (large surface area, thin walls, good blood supply) aids gas exchange

🖨 Print this page to keep the checklist — it prints beautifully.

Try this together

If your child took a deep breath after running, could they explain what's happening in their lungs — how the air gets in, where the oxygen crosses into the blood, and how carbon dioxide leaves?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

How Diffusion Worksages 12–13Gas exchange at the alveoli is driven by diffusion — the mechanism must be understood first

Cells to Organ Systemsages 11–12The gas exchange system is an organ system — hierarchy concept provides structural context

Gas Exchange & Breathingthis skill · ages 12–13

Unlocks

Aerobic Respirationages 12–13Aerobic respiration uses oxygen obtained through gas exchange — the supply mechanism must be understood first

Heart Structure & Double Circulationages 12–13The heart's role in the double circulatory system is only meaningful when gas exchange at the lungs is understood

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Aerobic Respirationages 12–13 Anaerobic Respirationages 12–14 Body Temperature Regulationages 12–14 Gut Bacteria & Digestionages 12–13

All Organisms & Life Processes skills →