In physiology, respiration (often mistaken with breathing) is defined as the transport of oxygen from the outside air to the cells within tissues, and the transport of carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. This is in contrast to the biochemical definition of respiration, which refers to cellular respiration: the metabolic process by which an organism obtains energy by reacting oxygen with glucose to give water, carbon dioxide and ATP (energy). Although physiologic respiration is necessary to sustain cellular respiration and thus life in animals, the processes are distinct: cellular respiration takes place in individual cells of the organism, while physiologic respiration concerns the bulk flow and transport of metabolites between the organism and the external environment.
In unicellular organisms, simple diffusion is sufficient for gas exchange: every cell is constantly bathed in the external environment, with only a short distance for gases to flow across. In contrast, complex multicellular animals such as humans have a much greater distance between the environment and their innermost cells, thus, a respiratory system is needed for effective gas exchange. The respiratory system works in concert with a circulatory system to carry gases to and from the tissues.
In air-breathing vertebrates such as humans, respiration of oxygen includes four stages:
| Organ | Oxygen consumption (ml O2/min per 100g)[1] |
|---|---|
| Heart (rest) | 8 |
| Heart (heavy exercise) | 70 |
| Brain | 3 |
| Kidney | 5 |
| Skin | 0.2 |
| Resting skeletal muscle | 1 |
| Contracting skeletal muscle | 50 |
Note that ventilation and gas transport require energy to power a mechanical pump (the heart) and the muscles of respiration, mainly the diaphragm. In heavy breathing, energy is also required to power additional respiratory muscles such as the intercostal muscles. The energy requirement for ventilation and gas transport is in contrast to the passive diffusion taking place in the gas exchange steps.
Respiratory behavior is correlated to the cardiovascular behavior to control the gaseous exchange between cells and blood. Both behaviors are intensified by exercise of the body. However, respiratory is highly voluntary compared to cardiovascular activity which is totally involuntary.
Respiratory physiology is the branch of human physiology concerned with respiration.
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There are several ways to classify the physiology of respiration:
Nelsons VCE Units 1-2 Physical Education. 2010 Cengage Copyright.