RESPIRATION
Understanding
breathing involves much more than the mechanics of moving air in and out of the
lungs. It involves virtually every cell
in the body. The whole of us is
breathing at all times. We regulate our
fundamental biochemistry, and the mindfulness (psychology) that accompanies it,
through breathing. In essence we breathe
with our whole bodies, not just with our lungs.
We can conveniently, from a physiological perspective, divide
respiration into three spheres of discourse:
1.
CELLULAR RESPIRATION:
●
Cells create energy by breaking down adenosine
triphosphate, ATP.
● Cellular
respiration is the utilization of O2 for the synthesis of ATP.
● Glucose
(sugar) provides the energy required for O2 utilization.
Click here to learn
more about
cellular
respiration.
2.
EXTERNAL RESPIRATION:
●
It means transporting O2 from the
atmosphere to the lungs.
●
It means ensuring the diffusion of O2 into
the pulmonary capillary bed.
●
It means excreting CO2 into the lungs and
transporting it to the atmosphere.
●
It means
ensuring proper reallocation of CO2 to arterial systemic blood.
(It means healthy moment to moment
acid-base regulation)
Click here to learn
more about
external
respiration.
3.
INTERNAL RESPIRATION:
● It is about transporting O2, to the tissue cells
from the lungs.
●
It is about transporting CO2 from tissue
cells to the lungs.
●
It is about regulating acid-base (pH) physiology.
Click here to learn more about internal respiration.
Copyrighted by
Behavioral Physiology Institute,