Respiratory System

Breathing keeps us alive, but what really powers our cells is a process called respiration.

Breathing brings in oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, while respiration uses that oxygen to release energy and facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the alveoli.

Both of these processes rely on the respiratory system.

It begins when you breathe in through your nose or mouth. This is called inhalation, and the key muscles behind this action are the diaphragm which is a dome-shaped structure at the base of your lungs, and the rib muscles.

When these muscles contract, they expand the chest cavity, drawing air into the lungs.

Once inside the lungs, oxygen passes through the thin walls of the alveoli and into the bloodstream.

At the same time, carbon dioxide from the blood moves into the alveoli to be exhaled. This gas exchange occurs through diffusion.

After the exchange, the diaphragm and rib muscles relax, reducing chest cavity volume and pushing air out through the nose or mouth during exhalation.