Respiration

This is the process whereby energy is released from food by chemical means to living organisms for their various activities with or without the presence of oxygen. Oxygen taken during respiration breaks down food substances to release energy.

The oxygen taken into the body enters into the blood. This makes the blood oxygenated. The oxygenated blood in the lungs is transported to the cells through the blood vessels in the body. In the process of transportation of oxygenated blood, the oxygen breaks down the glucose obtained during the food digestion.

The breakdown of this results in production of carbon dioxide, water and energy. The carbon dioxide is released from the system when we breathe out.

Energy produced after respiration is what we use in our daily activities.

The more you work, the more energy you need to perform work and at a higher rate of reaction. Example; you need more energy when you are running than when you are sitting down.

This is because when you are running, you take in more oxygen into your system and this results in constant continuous breakdown of glucose into energy. This will reduce the amount of glucose in your system as you continue running because of the increased rate of respiration.

When you are sitting down there is no work being done, you consume normal rate of oxygen because your breathing is normal. The breakdown of glucose into energy is also normal.

IMPORTANT FACT

“Plants take the carbon dioxide that animals breathe out and use it to prepare their own food. They also produce oxygen that animals also use during respiration.”