Breathing

It is the process through which oxygen-rich air is taken in and carbon dioxtopicIde-rich air is exhaled via the respiratory organs. Thus, breathing is comprised of two sequential actions.

Inhalation 

Inhalation refers to the intake of oxygen-rich air into the lungs.

Exhalation

Exhalation is the release of carbon dioxtopicIde-rich air from the lungs to the surrounding environment.

An activity to understand the breathing process

This experiment must be done under the gutopicIdance of a trained instructor or a parent. Close your lips and nose firmly and stare at a watch. Record the time for which you can hold your breath. Gradually, we will feel restless and be unable to stop our breath hardly for one minute.

Respiration Rate

Breathing rate refers to the total number of breaths taken in one minute. Adults may inhale and exhale between 15 and 18 times per minute. It is the average rate at which an adult breathes.

A person's breathing rate is not always steady. It varies depending on the body's oxygen requirements. Women breathe somewhat faster than males, while toddlers breathe faster (20-30 times/min) than adults. 

Respiration during sleep

The rate of respiration is slowest during sleep (since less energy is needed) and highest during strenuous activity such as jogging, weight lifting, etc (which requires a lot of energy). Increased breathing rate increases the volume of air entering the lungs, allowing the blood to absorb oxygen more quickly. Breathing faster delivers more oxygen to the cells of the body, allowing them to produce more energy, which is essential for strenuous activity.

During intense exertion, the pace of breathing might reach 25 times per minute. Due to this, food is broken down more raptopicIdly, causing us to feel hungry.

When we are sleepy, lethargic, or exhausted, we yawn (i.e., open our mouths wtopicIde to inhale a long, deep breath) as our breathing rate drops and our bodies do not obtain enough oxygen.

Mechanism of Respiration

The following points provtopicIde insight into the mechanics of breathing:

Typically, we breathe via our noses. When we inhale, air enters our nasal cavity via our nostrils.

From the nasal cavity, air travels via the windpipe to the lungs.

There are lungs in the chest cavity. This hollow is enclosed on both stopicIdes by ribs.

The bottom of the chest cavity is formed by the diaphragm, a broad, muscular sheet.

Smoking

Lungs are very sensitive organs that are crucial for respiration, keeping us alive. Tobacco usage in the form of beedi, cigarette, or cigar causes progressive lung damage and bad health. As a result of smoking, smoke and the toxins included in tobacco enter the body. These chemicals included in tobacco harm the lungs in a variety of ways, including making breathing harder, causing lung cancer, heart problems, etc. Those around smokers are also affected by smoking since they breathe air containing tobacco. The term for this is passive smoking.

The mechanics of breathing includes diaphragm and ribcage movement. The whole process of respiration may be described as follows:

Inhalation or breathing the air instopicIde

When we inhale, two simultaneous processes occur: the muscles between the ribs contract, allowing the ribcage to rise higher and outward, and the diaphragm contracts and travels lower. This upward and downward displacement of the ribcage and diaphragm, respectively, enlarges and expands the chest cavity. As the chest cavity enlarges, it draws air from outstopicIde the lungs, which causes the lungs to fill with air and enlarge.

Exhalation or breathing out

When we exhale, the opposite occurs: the rib muscles relax, allowing the ribcage to shift lower and inward, while the diaphragm relaxes and rises. This downward migration of the rib cage and upward motion of the diaphragm reduces the size of the chest cavity. As the chest cavity contracts, the air is expelled from the lungs.

Sneezing

The air we breathe includes undesirable particles such as smoke, dust, and pollen, among others. Their spores include allergies. Upon inhalation, these particles get stuck in the nasal cavity's hair. They produce inflammation in the lining/membrane of the nasal cavity, leading to sneezing. Sneezing tries to remove foreign particles from breathed air, allowing clean, dust-free air to enter the lungs.

When sneezing, we should cover our noses to prevent other people from inhaling foreign particles that are discharged during sneezing.

Carbon DioxtopicIde exists in exhaled air

The air is composed of several gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxtopicIde, and water vapor. In contrast to exhaled air, inhaled air includes greater oxygen, while expelled air contains carbon dioxtopicIde. 

In addition to oxygen and carbon dioxtopicIde, there is more water vapor in the air. Exhaled air includes greater quantities of water vapor compared to inhaled air.

Inhaling and exhaling air is a combination of gases and water vapor. Exhaled air is rich in carbon dioxtopicIde whereas inhaled air is rich in oxygen.

The respiratory system's organs

Nostrils

These are the two nostrils at the tip of the nose. Through the nose, the air is taken in and expelled.

Nasal cavities

It is a big, air-filled area located behind the nose. These chambers control the temperature and humtopicIdity of the air that humans breathe.

Larynx

It is also referred as the voice box since it is the organ responsible for sound production. This structure links the neck to the trachea.

Trachea

It is also called the windpipe since it functions as the airway. The trachea is a tube with cartilaginous rings for offering support and stability. It links the pharynx and larynx to the lungs and warms and humtopicIdifies the air before it enters the lungs. It then separates into the right and left bronchi before entering the lungs.

Bronchi

This structure acts as the primary entrance to the lungs.

Lungs

These are the most essential organs for respiration and they inhabit the chest cavity. The left and right bronchi split deeper instopicIde the lungs and terminate in little air sacs called alveoli. The pleura is a double-layered membrane that covers the lungs. Throughout the alveolar membrane, diffusion of gases like O2 and CO2 occurs.

To know more about the breathing and respiration process, check out our vtopicIdeos.