The Processes of the Respiratory System

In the respiratory system, the cells of the body need energy for most of their chemical activities in order to maintain homoeostasis. Most of this energy is derived from chemical reactions which can only take place in the presence of oxygen. The respiratory system is the human body system that enables an organism to respire and thus be able to absorb oxygen into the body. It involves the uptake of oxygen into the body and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or environment. Respiration occurs like all other body mechanisms with the aid of special tissues, cells and organs. The lungs are the main organs with the process of respiration. Air passes into the lungs to supply the body with oxygen through the process of inhalation. Carbon dioxide which is not needed by the human body is passed out or expelled through the process of exhalation. The two processes happen interchangeably and they are collectively referred to as breathing or ventilation.

The respiratory system is made up of the trachea, lungs, air sacs, diaphragm, bronchi, and bronchioles. The respiratory system provides the route by which the supply of oxygen present on the atmosphere gains entry to the body and also an opposite route for the excretion of carbon dioxide. Exchange of gases between an organism and its external environment is known as external respiration whereas that between the blood and the cells internal respiration. First of all, air is breathed into the body via the mouth and the nose. The air travels through the voice box (pharynx) down to the windpipe (trachea) and then through the bronchi into the lungs. The Carbon dioxide which is not needed is therefore required to be exhaled. This happens in a reverse process. However, the air taken in...

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...gs compared to that of the surrounding blood. After oxygen molecules moves into the blood, they are bound to the red blood cells and are then transported through the body. Blood containing oxygen travels from the lungs into the chambers of the heart. When it reaches the heart, it is pumped around the rest of the body. The oxygenated blood travels through a number of vessels, allowing the red blood cells to come into contact with other cells in the body. The red blood cells further take the unwanted carbon dioxide through an opposite system of vessels into the heart. Upon reaching the heart, they are then pumped to the lungs, and come into contact with the alveoli. Hence, the respiratory system and the circulatory system interact with each other when the red blood cells discharge carbon dioxide into the lungs as waste product. Exhalation marks the end of the cycle.