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What Is the Concept of Respiration?

The concept of respiration is a scientific one. Most animals---including humans---require oxygen to survive. Respiration is the process by which the body takes in oxygen. Respiration is the technical term for breathing. Respiration is a critical body function, and failure to breathe properly can lead to serious health issues or even death.

  1. Definition

    • Respiration is the scientific term for the process of inhaling and exhaling---that is, breathing. More specifically, respiration includes all of the steps necessary to take oxygen into the body and process it for use by the cells and tissues that require the oxygen to survive.

    Respiratory System

    • Respiration is the primary function of the body's respiratory system. Several body parts play central roles in the respiratory system. The mouth and nose inhale the air initially. The air then passes through the trachea and larynx---this step can produce sound if the person or animal is speaking. The diaphragm extracts carbon dioxide from the inhaled air and pushes oxygen into the lungs for transmittal to the blood stream.

    Types

    • There are two primary ways that most animals can respire. First, and most commonly, humans and other animals respire aerobically---that is, by taking in oxygen. This type of respiration involves inhaling air. However, many animals can also respire without air. Fish respire underwater, for example. Humans can also respire anaerobically, or without air. When a human body requires extreme amounts of oxygen---such as when a runner is running a marathon---the muscles in the body can respire without air by using energy from the body's lactic acid. Unfortunately, this less common form of respiring can also cause the body to cramp.

    Importance

    • Respiration is one of the most important processes in both humans and animals. Respiration gives energy to cells and tissues throughout the body by releasing energy stored in glucose. This process allows the body to thrive. Without respiration, the body could not survive.

    Respiration Problems

    • Because respiration is so vital to organisms, respiratory problems can be very serious and life-threatening. Humans can contract a number of respiration ailments. Shortness of breath can be fleeting or it can be a sign of a more critical illness, including asthma, emphysema or pneumonia. People with heart disease also report difficulty breathing. Even stress in otherwise healthy people can lead to breathing trouble.

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