Sometimes we use the terms breathing and respiration to mean the same thing, but they actually are distinct processes. Breathing is the process of moving oxygen-rich air into and out of the lungs. Respiration refers to how the cells of the body use oxygen to create energy and how they exhale carbon dioxide that is a waste product of this process.
The lungs have to work continuously because the body cells are constantly using up oxygen and producing carbon dioxide. Unlike the heart, the lungs have no muscle tissue. Instead, muscles in the rib cage and the diaphragm do all the work of lifting the ribs upward and outward to let the air in, and then relaxing to force the air out.
Breathing is defined as “the exchange of gases between the cells of an organism and the external environment”
While it is true that the physiology of breathing is complex and extensive, the process of getting those gases from the environment to the cellular level of the body can be observed and understood by the general, non-medical population. Understanding the mechanics of breathing can facilitate the doing of breathing exercises for general relaxation, pain management, general health promotion and the increase of energy.
Two very simple concepts comprise the act of breathing as defined above. They are ventilation, or bringing oxygen into the lungs and circulation, or transporting the oxygen all over the body, to where it is needed.
Respiration is the process used in all living things for gaining energy. Energy is needed for keeping the vital organs working and generally staying alive. It is also needed for moving muscles. Keeping a constant body temperature is important to. Cell division, reproduction and other important processes in the body all need energy to work.
Respiration is not just a gas exchange, oxygen for carbon dioxide. Oxygen is the one critical part of a larger process and carbon dioxide is simply a by product of the process. Cellular respiration a complex series of chemical reactions where sugars are broken down to release energy by the use of oxygen. (Gottfried, 1993). The key is not the gases that are released, but the energy. The next concern is who or what does cellular respiration. It is commonly thought that organisms with some form of respiratory system can respire and that is true, animals undergo cellular respiration, but we are not alone. Because every living organism is composed of cells, and all cells need energy to function, then every organism must carry out some form of cellular respiration.
The lungs have to work continuously because the body cells are constantly using up oxygen and producing carbon dioxide. Unlike the heart, the lungs have no muscle tissue. Instead, muscles in the rib cage and the diaphragm do all the work of lifting the ribs upward and outward to let the air in, and then relaxing to force the air out.
Breathing is defined as “the exchange of gases between the cells of an organism and the external environment”
While it is true that the physiology of breathing is complex and extensive, the process of getting those gases from the environment to the cellular level of the body can be observed and understood by the general, non-medical population. Understanding the mechanics of breathing can facilitate the doing of breathing exercises for general relaxation, pain management, general health promotion and the increase of energy.
Two very simple concepts comprise the act of breathing as defined above. They are ventilation, or bringing oxygen into the lungs and circulation, or transporting the oxygen all over the body, to where it is needed.
Respiration is the process used in all living things for gaining energy. Energy is needed for keeping the vital organs working and generally staying alive. It is also needed for moving muscles. Keeping a constant body temperature is important to. Cell division, reproduction and other important processes in the body all need energy to work.
Respiration is not just a gas exchange, oxygen for carbon dioxide. Oxygen is the one critical part of a larger process and carbon dioxide is simply a by product of the process. Cellular respiration a complex series of chemical reactions where sugars are broken down to release energy by the use of oxygen. (Gottfried, 1993). The key is not the gases that are released, but the energy. The next concern is who or what does cellular respiration. It is commonly thought that organisms with some form of respiratory system can respire and that is true, animals undergo cellular respiration, but we are not alone. Because every living organism is composed of cells, and all cells need energy to function, then every organism must carry out some form of cellular respiration.
