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Role of Oxygen in Respiration

Respiration is the process by which humans breathe in air, exchange gases in the lungs, and exhale carbon dioxide back into the air. Oxygen plays an important role in the respiration process.

  1. Entry

    • When a person inhales, oxygen contained in air enters the body through the nose and the mouth.

    Path to the Lungs

    • Oxygen-rich air travels through the upper and lower respiratory tracts into the lungs.

    Alveoli

    • In the tiniest branches of the lungs, the alveoli remove carbon dioxide and prepare oxygen for transport into the circulatory system.

    Diffusion

    • Oxygen transfers through diffusion from the alveoli to the capillaries. Diffusion is the process of particles of liquids, gases or solids moving from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

    Capillaries

    • The capillaries connect to the larger blood vessels, which transport oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

    Heart

    • The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body through the circulatory system. All of the cells in the human body use oxygen from the blood to break down glucose for energy.

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