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Introduction

A process in living organisms involving the production of

energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the release
of carbon dioxide from the oxidation of complex organic
substances.

Mechanism of respiration
Breathing or ventilation is the mechanical process of
inhalation of fresh air (oxygen) and exhalation of foul air
(carbon dioxide). It consists of the following two steps:
Inspiration:
Process of inhaling air into the lungs is called inspiration.
At first, the muscles between the ribs contract. When
external muscles between these ribs contract, the ribs are
pulled out and the chest cavity expands and secondly, a
muscular partition wall between the chest cavity and the
lower abdominal cavity, called diaphragm, contracts in
such a way that it is brought down a little bit (Convexed).
This also expands the chest cavity, called diaphragm,
contracts in such a way that it is brought down a little bit.
This also expands the chest cavity. Thirdly, there is a
contraction of muscles of the stomach. All these events
create a partial vacuum in the chest cavity and the
atmospheric air rushes in the lung by respiratory passage.

Expiration:
When the exchange of gases in the lungs has taken place,
the air has to be expelled. Expulsion of the air from the
lungs is called expiration. Reversal of events that had
occurred in inspiration makes foul air go out of lungs in
atmosphere.

Exchange of gases in lungs

The air inhaled by inspiration comes to alveoli. All around
the alveoli there is a network of blood capillaries. These
capillaries are extremely fine tubes with only one layered
wall. The deoxygenated blood collected from different
parts of the body is at first brought to the heart, and from
here pumped out to the lungs. This blood which may also
be called venous blood is sent to the lungs where it has to
pass through the network of capillaries around the alveoli.
The oxygen from the alveolus diffuses out into the blood
capillary due to difference in partial pressures of oxygen
and is picked up by the hemoglobin molecules present
inside the red blood corpuscles. Again, carbon dioxide,
which is in greater amount in the venous blood, comes
from the capillary into the alveolus.