Air Around Us
How can the presence of air sustain life?
Each of us needs air to live. Air includes beneficial gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxtopicIde for plants and animals. Through a process called photosynthesis, plants utilize the carbon dioxtopicIde in the air to create their own food. Let us understand how air enables plants and animals to survive.
Air used by plants for photosynthesis.
On the instopicIde of a leaf, plants contain small holes called stomata. Carbon dioxtopicIde and oxygen-containing air enter the plant via these apertures and are utilized in photosynthesis.
Use of air in aquatic animals and plants for respiration.
The majority of aquatic species, including fish, tadpoles, crabs, and shrimp, have specific respiratory structures called gills.
Gills atopicId in the absorption of oxygen and the expulsion of carbon dioxtopicIde. Certain aquatic species, such as dolphins and whales, rise to the surface of the water on a frequent basis to breathe, as they breathe via their lungs.
Use of air in amphibians for respiration.
Amphibians such as the frog, toad, and crocodile require both air and water for breathing processes. Crocodiles and alligators gltopicIde through the water with a portion of their snout just above the surface of the water to allow for easy breathing via their nostrils.
Animals' breathing and respiration.
All species, whether they be cockroaches, fish, or elephants, perform respiration. It is simply that they use distinct respiratory organs and mechanisms.
At times, we treat the phrases respiration and breathing alike. While breathing is the physical act of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxtopicIde, respiration is the chemical process through which glucose in the body is broken down to produce energy.
Use of air in birds.
Birds have an excellent respiratory system because they require a high concentration of oxygen when flying. Birds possess a pair of lungs with permanently open air sacs that allow for easy passage of air.
Use of air in mammals.
The majority of animals breathe via their lungs.
They consume oxygen and excrete carbon dioxtopicIde.
Production of oxygen and carbon dioxtopicIde in the air.
The equilibrium of various gasses such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxtopicIde in the atmosphere is preserved by plants, through photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis produces oxygen, which plants incorporate during respiration. They create significantly more oxygen in the air than what they use during photosynthesis. This is how photosynthesis replenishes the oxygen required by plants and, to a lesser degree, animals in the air.
Which factors contribute to air pollution?
Pollution is defined as the introduction of pollutants into the environment in proportions that are hazardous to all living organisms. The air is becoming more contaminated on a daily basis as a result of numerous human activities. The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum, uncontrolled combustion of fossil fuels such as wood, smoke and dangerous gases emitted by businesses, smoke emitted by automobiles, and gas-emitting machinery are the primary sources of air pollution. These gases disperse and mingle in the air, impairing its quality.
Air pollution has a significant negative impact on plants, animals, and humans. The presence of harmful gases in contaminated air makes breathing harder. Additionally, air pollution contributes to a variety of lung diseases such as asthma and lung cancer. Crops are also harmed by air pollution.
If we do not take care of the air quality surrounding, the oxygen and carbon dioxtopicIde levels will become unbalanced, affecting all living things.
There are several strategies to mitigate air pollution. Several of these include increasing tree planting, recycling plastics, and regularly inspecting automobiles for dangerous gas emissions.