What is Respiration?

Respiration is a set of metabolic reactions and processes, which is involved in the exchange of gases. 

Respiration is a significant and essential part of the life process, which involves the gaseous exchange. During the process of respiration, living organisms breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide. The transport of gases oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) during respiration are carried out by our blood cells.

Humans have a well defined respiratory system along with the network of organs and tissues involved in respiration.

In this biological process of respiration, glucose is broken down to extract energy. It is a redox reaction that can take place with or without oxygen and takes place in mitochondria of the cell and releases energy in the form of ATP. 

On the basis of the presence or absence of oxygen, respiration is divided into two types.

1. Aerobic Respiration.

A type of cellular respiration that occurs in the presence of oxygen to produce energy.  

2. Anaerobic Respiration.

A type of cellular respiration that occurs in the absence of oxygen to produce energy. 

Facts About Human Respiratory System

 Here are a few interesting facts about the respiratory system.

Fact-No-1

Lungs are the major organ of the respiratory system. Along with the windpipe and other specialized parts of the respiratory system, lungs work by supplying oxygen to the various cells and tissues of the body.

Fact-No-2

The more we breathe, the more we feel hungry and therefore the body becomes acidic. Our appetite depends on our style of breathing. 

Fact-No-3

During respiration, we inhale very little amount of oxygen. The composition of oxygen in the air is 20 to 22 percent  but our bodies need only 4 to 6 percent  of it.

Fact-No-4

Breathing through the mouth results in ear infections, tonsillitis, sore throats, and other disorders. Inhaling and exhaling through the mouth disrupts the level of gaseous exchange in our lungs.

Fact-No-5

The right lung is bigger than the left lung and the total size of both the lungs is similar to the size of a tennis court.

Fact-No-6

The process of inhalation and exhalation plays an important vital by providing oxygen to cells, tissues and removing  carbon dioxide from various parts of the body.

Fact-No-7

Yawning, the involuntary process, which is usually triggered by sleepiness or fatigue. It helps us to breathe more oxygen into our lungs and stretches our lungs and lung tissue.

Fact-No-8

Breathing loses lots of water. We lose about 12 oz. of water through respiration.Slow breaths help in increasing our lifespan. An average person breathes 20,000 times a day.

Fact-No-9

Respiratory quotient )R.Q). is dependent on the type of respiratory substrate consumed during respiration.In anaerobic respiration, the Respiratory quotient (RQ) is infinity

Fact-No-10

Inhalation occurs through active contraction of the muscles and is more stronger, active and energetic than the exhalation.

Fact-No-11

The rate of breathing is faster in children and women than in men.It is always advised to breath through our nose and not from our mouth. This is because the air, which we inhale or take in is filtered in four stages and is followed by our nose.

Fact-No-12

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) of the human body can be estimated with the help of respiratory quotient (RQ) The ratio of the produced carbon dioxide and consumed oxygen during the process of respiration  is referred to as respiratory quotient (RQ) .

These were some interesting facts about the human respiratory system.Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about the respiratory system, structure, functions, respiratory disorders and other related topics, along with exciting videos by subscribing to BYJU’S YouTube videos.

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