Breathing

We can live without ​food​ for a week, without water a day or two, but
without breathing? Not more than a minute. All of us are alive because
we breathe, not just humans, but plants and animals also breathe. But
how do we breathe? Let us find out below!

What is Breathing?

Breathing is a mechanical Process. In breathing, an organism takes in

oxygen from its ​environment​ and released carbon- dioxide.Breathing
involves the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the
external environment and the body cells. This process is also called
pulmonary respiration.

Organisms​ carry out external respiration in various ways depending on

their ​size​ and environment. For example, exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide happens directly with the environment through any cell
membrane. In ​human beings​ and some animals, lungs are the chief
organs​ of breathing.

Browse more Topics under Respiration In Organism

 ● Respiration and Its Types
● Human Respiration
● Respiration in Other Animals
● Respiration in Plants

Types Of Breathing

The process of breathing consists of two types:

● Inspiration or Inhalation: Taking atmospheric air into the lungs.

This process is inhalation. And it depends on the pressure
inside to the lungs. When atmospheric air pressure is more than
the air ​pressure​ in lungs, then air enters to the lungs.
● Expiration or exhalation: This is the process that involves
discharging the air from lungs. When the air pressure in lungs
increases and there’s a decrease in the atmospheric pressure
then air comes out from lungs into the environment.

Breathing is the combination of Expiration and Inspiration:

Component Inhaled Exhaled Explanation

During respiration cell uses up the

Oxygen 21% 16%
Oxygen.

Production of carbon ​dioxide

Carbon
0.03% 4% occurs as a waste product of
dioxide
respiration.

Nitrogen 78% 78% Cells do not use nitrogen gas.

Some of the water evaporates and

Water Variable High
is lost as air which is breathed out
Comparison Between Breathing and Cellular Respiration

S.N
Breathing Cellular respiration
o

It is a physical process in which

It is a biochemical process in which glucose is
1.. oxygen is taken in and carbon
oxidised to ​carbon​ dioxide and water.
dioxide is given out.

2. It consumes energy. It liberates energy.

 3. It is an extracellular process It is an intracellular process.

Enzymes are not used in this

4. Enzymes are used in this process.
process.

How Do We Breathe: Respiration

Breathing is the process that involves taking atmospheric air into

lungs, where an exchange of gases and foul air occurs which is
eventually expelled out from the lungs. The main muscles during
respiration or breathing are Intercostal (external)​ muscles​ and
diaphragm. Larynx does not contribute to the breathing movements.
● The muscles of a rib (intercostal) and diaphragm are
responsible for intake and output of air from lungs.
● Inspiration is the result of muscle contraction so it is an active
process.
● During inspiration, the diaphragm and external intercostals
muscles contract simultaneously. Muscles move the lateral
thoracic walls outward and upward.
● To take in the air into lungs, the diaphragm must be flattened.
● Expiration is the result of muscles relaxation so it is a passive
process.
● During expiration, the diaphragm and external intercostals
muscles relax simultaneously. Muscles move the lateral
 thoracic walls inward and downward which result in the
exhalation of air.

Breathing rate is lowest while we are sleeping. During normal

breathing, the respiratory movements occur about:

Age Rate

Newborn child 32/min

5-year-old 26/min

25-year-old 16/min

50-year-old 18/min
Question For You

Q. When is the breathing rate at its lowest?

Sol: The breathing rate is at its lowest during the night because our
body is in rest at night.

Respiration And Its Types

We breathe normally with the help of oxygen, but did you know there
are few organisms that can breathe without oxygen? Isn’t it
intriguing? Let us more about types of respiration.

Respiration

All ​living organisms​ need the energy to perform various activities and
to maintain life. This energy is obtained from food by a process called
respiration. In animals, cells produce chemical energy from
degradation of the organic compound and in other plant decomposed
food from ​photosynthesis process.
Thus Respiration is an important biochemical ​reaction​ process of
oxidation by which food materials are oxidized to produce carbon
dioxide, water, and ​energy​.

Types of Respiration

There are two types of respiration which we classify on the basis of

the presence or absence of oxygen:

Aerobic respiration

The respiration that takes place in the presence of oxygen is called

aerobic respiration b​ ecause it uses ‘air’ which contains oxygen. The
aerobic respiration involves utilization of oxygen for the breakdown of
chemical bonds in glucose to release energy in high amounts. It is the
chief source of energy for plants and animals. Animals and plants that
use oxygen for respiration are aerobes. Majority of animals have
aerobic respiration.

C
6

H
12
 O
6

+6

O
2

⟶6

CO
2

+6

H
2

O+Energy

All the organisms that obtain energy by aerobic respiration cannot live
without the oxygen. This is because if there is no oxygen, they cannot
get energy from the food which they eat. Aerobic respiration produces
more energy because a ​complete breakdown​ of glucose occurs during
respiration by the use of oxygen.

Anaerobic Respiration

The respiration that takes place in the absence of oxygen is ​anaerobic

respiration. ​ In this process, incomplete oxidation of food material is
being and produces ​carbon​ dioxide and alcohol. Beside this other
organic matter like citric acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid, etc are also
produced.

This process is also known as intramolecular Respiration. The

anaerobic respiration takes place in organisms like yeast, some
bacteria, and parasitic worms. The animals and plants that can survive
and obtain energy even in the absence of oxygen are called Anaerobic.

Glucose⟶Alcohol+C

O
2

+Energy

Yeast is a single-celled fungus. In yeast, a single ​cell​ represents the

whole ​organism​. Very low amount of energy is realised in this
process. Yeast respires anaerobically and during this process, yeast
converts glucose into alcohol. Therefore it is used to make alcohol
bread, etc.

Anaerobic respiration produces much less energy because the only

partial breakdown of glucose occurs in anaerobic respiration in the
absence of ​oxygen​. All the organisms which obtain energy by
anaerobic respiration can live without the oxygen.

For example, yeast is an organism which can live without the oxygen
of air because it obtains energy by the process of anaerobic
respiration​. Yeast can survive in the absence of oxygen.

Anaerobic Respiration in Muscles

Human beings normally obtain energy by aerobic respiration. But

when we need extra energy, anaerobic respiration can take place in
our muscles for a short time. When we do a heavy physical exercise,
our muscles need more oxygen. But the supply of oxygen through
blood is limited and hence insufficient.

During heavy exercise, Some of our muscles respire anaerobically.

The anaerobic respiration by muscles brings about the partial
breakdown of glucose to form lactic acid. This lactic acid accumulates
in the muscles. The accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles causes
muscles cramps.
Yeast are single-celled organisms. They respire anaerobically and
yield ethyl alcohol and are used to make wine and beer. They are also
used in baking industry.

Aerobic versus Anaerobic Respiration

S.No Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration

1. It occurs in the presence of oxygen. It occurs in the absence of oxygen.

Food materials are completely Food materials are incompletely oxidised

2 oxidised to release carbon ​dioxide​, to release ​alcohol​, carbon dioxide and
water​ and energy. energy.

Sufficient amount of energy is

3. A small amount of energy is released.
released.

It Takes place in very few organisms like

4. It takes places in all organisms. yeast and in muscles of the human
beings.
 Enzymes responsible for this Enzymes responsible for this process are
5.
process are found in mitochondria. found in protoplasm.

Similarities Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration

In aerobic respiration, energy is In anaerobic respiration, energy is also

1 produced by the breakdown of produced by the breakdown of food (like
food(like glucose). glucose).

Aerobic respiration takes place in Anaerobic respiration also takes place in

2
the cells of the organism. the cells of the organism

Question For You

Q. In which human part, anaerobic respiration can take place?

Sol: Anaerobic respiration in humans can take place in muscles.

Human Respiration

When you run, after some time don’t you run of breath and your
breathing becomes heavy? But why does this happen? Well, this
happens because your body at that moment needs more oxygen. In
human ​respiration​, we breathe in oxygen and breathe out
carbon-dioxide. But is human respiration only this? Let us know
more!

Human Respiration

In all higher ​living organisms​, the ​respiratory organ​ is lungs and

gaseous​ exchange takes place from these lungs. The lungs are the
most important organs that help human beings in ​respiration​. Air is
sucked into the lungs through a series of cavities and tubes which
together make up the whole ​respiratory system​.
Respiratory system in higher organisms is divided into two parts-

● Associate organs
● Main organs

Associate Organs
1. Nostril

Air enters the body through the nose. Externally, the nose consists of
two nostrils. Nostrils are lined with membranes that are coated with a
moist, sticky mucus. Some of the membranes have moving cilia.

As air passes over the membranes, it is warmed and moistened. Dust

particles​ falling on the sticky ​surface​ are swept out by cilia, towards
the throat, where they are either swallowed or coughed up. This
removes most of the large foreign particles from the ​air​.

2. Throat and Pharynx

The nasal cavity leads into the Pharynx. Posterior part of the nasal
passage is called pharynx which is connected to the mouth. The air
passes through the pharynx and enters the trachea, or windpipe, which
is in the middle of the neck. The trachea is about 12 cm long and
2.5cm in diameter.

(Source: Unacademy)

3. Larynx

The larynx is a sound producing organ which is the enlarged upper

end of the trachea. Its occur four type of cartilages-(a) One thyroid (b)
One Cricoid (c) paired arytenoids cartilages, which have one pair of
the vocal cord, it is a sound producing ​organs​.

4. Bronchi

The trachea divides into two tubes, The right and left bronchi. After
air has passed through the trachea, it enters the bronchi. Each
bronchus enters a lung. Air is further pulled into branches of the
bronchi. The bronchi then divide into smaller tubes called bronchioles.

The bronchioles connect to tiny ducts that lead into air sacs called
alveoli. Alveoli are usually surrounded by tiny blood vessels. It is in
the alveoli of the lungs where gaseous exchange occurs. Oxygen from
the alveoli passes into the blood cells and is carried to different parts
of the body. At the same time, carbon dioxide from the blood vessels
passes into the alveoli.

5. The Thoracic Cavity and Diaphragm

The thoracic cavity is hollow cavity divided into two pleural cavities
each enclosing a lung. The floor of the thoracic cavity is completely
closed by a thin muscular septum called diaphragm. The thorax is
separated from the abdomen below by the diaphragm.

6. Lungs – Main Organ

The lungs are a pair of elastic organs present in the chest or pleural
cavity of the body. The sides of the chest are bounded by the ribs,
which are joined to the backbone at the back and the breastbone at the
front. The pleural cavity contains pleural fluid allows membranes to
move easily on one another while ​breathing​ and keeping lungs always
moist and help them in the breathing process.

The right lungs are somewhat larger than the left lung and are divided
into three lobes, while the left lung is divided into two lobes Adult
lungs have an internal area near about 90meter square.The whole area
is covered with a net of tiny blood vessels, which is joined, end to end
cover several thousand meters.

Question For You

Q. In the normal expiration, the diaphragm is:

a. Arched
b. Flattened
c. Not involved
d. Perforated

Sol: a. Arched
During expiration, the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm are
relaxed leading to decrease in the volume of the thoracic cavity so that
the air is expired from the lungs. The relaxed diaphragm gets arched
up forming a dome.

Respiration in Other Animals

Do humans and animals breathe similarly? Does respiration in animals

occur similarly? Above all, do all animals breath in a similar fashion?
Let us know more!
Introduction

Respiration​ is an ​oxidation​ process which involves degradation of a

complex ​organic compound​, hence carbon dioxide and water and
energy are produced. Respiration process can be divided into two
phases –

External Respiration or Breathing

In this process, animals intake oxygen and release carbon dioxide. It is

also known as ​breathing​. This is mainly two phases.

● Inspiration: It is the process by means of which oxygen is taken

to the lungs.
● Expiration: During expiration, ​carbon​ dioxide is expelled out
from the respiratory organs into the environment.

Internal Respiration or Cellular Respiration

In this process, oxygen is used in chemical reactions within the cells.

These reactions release ​energy​ from ​food​ substances and produced
carbon dioxide and water as waste ​products​.

Sugar+
 O
2

CO
2

H
2

O+Energy

Respiration in Animals

The mode of external respiration varies greatly from organism to

organism. The basic process of respiration (cellular respiration) is
similar in all ​living organisms​. The process of exchange gases varies
in different animals.

1. Through Plasma Membrane

In unicellular animals, such as amoeba, exchange of gases takes place

through cell surface. They absorb ​oxygen​ from the surrounding air or
water and give out carbon dioxide through plasma membrane by
diffusion​.
2. Through Body Wall or Skin

Tapeworms, earthworms, and leeches use their skin for the exchange
of gases. The skin of Earthworms is very thin and moistened. Many
blood cells are spread on this skin. These ​blood cells​ are known as
capillaries. The exchange of gases occurs at capillaries. They die of
suffocation if their skin is dried up.
Amphibians such as frogs use more than one organ of respiration
during their life. They breathe through gills while they are ​tadpoles​.
Mature frogs breathe mainly with lungs and also exchange gas with
the environment through skin.

3. Through Tracheal System

In insects like cockroaches, grasshopper, transportation of gas or
gaseous exchange take place by a special type of fine tubes is called
tracheae.

Air containing oxygen enters through spiracles into the tracheal tubes.
It then diffuses into the body tissue and reaches every cell in the body.
Carbon dioxide released from the cells goes into the tracheal tubes and
comes out through spiracles.

4. Through Gills

A majority of aquatic animals like fish and prawns breathe through

special organs called gills. Gilla are projections of the skin that help in
using oxygen dissolved in water. Gills contain blood vessels which
help in exchange of gases.
Fish live in water. To get oxygen dissolved in water, fish gulp water
through the mouth and pump it over the gills. Water passes into the
gill chamber through gill slits. In each chamber, the water passes over
the filaments. They absorb oxygen from the water and replace it with
carbon dioxide formed. The water then passes out through the gill
opening and this process is repeated again and again.

5. Through lungs

Amphibians, mammals, and birds exchange gases through special

respiratory organs called lungs. Lungs are air-filled sac-like structures
in the chest cavity. They are connected to the outside by a series of
tubes and small opening.
Question For You

Q. Fishes absorb oxygen from

a. air
b. water
c. earth
d. none of above

Sol: b. water. Fishes live in ​water​. To get oxygen dissolved in water,

fish gulp water through the mouth and pump it over the gills. Water
passes into the gill chamber through gill slits. In each chamber, the
water passes over the filaments. They absorb oxygen from the water
and replace it with carbon ​dioxide​ formed.
Respiration in Plants

Humans​ ​breathe​, animals breathe, but do plants also breathe? Yes! Of

course, plants breathe as well. We may not be able to see the process
of respiration in plants, but it is happening. Let study below about
respiration in plants.

Respiration in Plants

Plants like other animals also respire. Plants also need energy. The
plants get energy through the process of respiration in which glucose
food​ breaks down in the presence of oxygen to form carbon dioxide
and water with the release of energy.

This energy is used by the plant for carrying out its various life
processes. Thus, Like other organisms, plants also respire for their
survival. The respiration in plants differs from that of ​animals​. In other
words, in plants, each part can independently take in oxygen from air,
utilize it to obtain energy, and give out carbon dioxide.

Browse more Topics under Respiration In Organism

 ● Breathing
● Respiration and Its Types
● Human Respiration
● Respiration in Other Animals

Learn more about ​Respiration in Animals here​.

Respiration In Leaves

The leaves of ​plants​ have tiny pores on their surface which are called
stomata. The exchange of gases in the leaves during respiration takes
place through stomata.

This happens as follows: Oxygen from the air enters into a leaf
through stomata and reaches all the cells by the process of diffusion.
This oxygen is used in respiration in cells of the leaf. The carbon
dioxide produced during diffuses out from the leaf into the air through
same stomata.
The photosynthesis reaction makes glucose and the respiration
reaction break it down. In ​photosynthesis​, the energy which goes into
the reaction is ​light​ energy. In respiration, the energy which comes out
is ​chemical​ ​energy​.

Respiration in Roots

The roots of plants are under the ground but root cells also need
oxygen to carry out respiration and release energy for their own use.
How Does Respiration Occur in Roots?

The roots of a plant take up air from the spaces between the soil
particles. Root hairs are in contact with the air in the soil particles.
Oxygen from the air in soil particles diffuse into root hair and reach all
the cells of the root where it is utilised in respiration. Carbon dioxide
produced in the cells of the root during respiration goes out through
the same root hair by the process of diffusion.
If a potted plant is over watered for a long time, then the plant may
ultimately die. This is because too much water expels all the air from
in between the soil particles. Due to this, oxygen is not available to the
roots for aerobic respiration. In this condition, the ​roots​ of plant
respire anaerobically producing alcohol. This may kill the plant.
Germinating seeds during early stage respire anaerobically because
they have seed coat which does not allow the oxygen to enter through
it.

Respiration in plants happens throughout the day and night thereby

carbon dioxide is produced. However, during the daytime, the amount
of carbon dioxide released is negligible compared to the amount of
oxygen produced as a result of photosynthesis. Hence, one should not
sleep under a tree at night.

Learn more about ​Respiration and its types​.

Question For You

Q1. From where do roots absorb air needed for respiration?

Ans: Root hairs

Q2. Name the tiny pores on the surface of leaves of a plant through
which gas exchange occurs.

Ans: Stomata

Q3. Name any two parts of the plant through which exchange of gases
takes place during respiration.

Ans: Roots and Leaves.