Respiration

Respiration is NOT the same as breathing.

Respiration is a chemical reaction that takes place in all living cells.

When we breath, oxygen goes into small sacs(Alveoli) in our lungs. Oxygen is diffused&goes into our bloodstream. Oxygen is carried into our red cells in Haemaglobin.

Haemoglobin joins onto oxygen&carries it around the body in the blood&releases when necessary. Oxygen can diffuse into cells.

Glucose is a type of substance obtained through digestion of food.

Glucose can be used in respiration.

Glucose&oxygen react together to produce carbonn dioxide& water. Known as aerobic respiration.

Glucose is carried around in blood plasma(yellow liquid). Dissolved glucose can diffuse into four capillaries.

Carbon dioxide produced during respiration diffuses out of cells&across into plasma. Blood carries it to the lungs&then diffuses across the walls of the alveoli&then it is ready to be exhaled.

The respiratory system contains organs that allow it to get the oxygen we need&to remove carbon dioxide we don't need.

Movements of the ribs, rib muscles&diaphragm allow air into&out of the lungs. This is called BREATHING or VENTILATION, NOT RESPIRATION. We inhale&exhale.

Air passes between the lungs&out of the body through the windpipe called the trachea. The trachea divides into two bronchi, one bronchus for each lung.

Each bronchus divides into the lungs into smaller tubes called bronchioles. At the end of each bronchioles there are tiny air sacs. The sacs are called alveoli&they have bulges to increase the surface area.

The respiratory system contains:

Lungs: tubes leading from the lungs to the mouth&nose.

Structures that allow the chest to let air move in&out of the lungs.