Breathing Is Essential for Life
Have you ever thought
what would happen if you don’t breathe?. You probably never think much about
your breathing system. But a sneeze or hiccup will always remind you about it. Take a deep
breath and read on……
Inhale and Exhale….You repeat this
process throughout the day a countless number of times without paying much
attention to it. Observe your breathing pattern. Your breathing in and
breathing out may seem to be a very easy process but actually this procedure is
extremely complex and it is efficiently handled by the Respiratory system.
Breathing is very important for all living organisms and oxygen is essential
for respiration; Without it the respiratory process is incomplete and the
organism cannot survive. Now you know- why life cannot exist on other planets
except for Earth.
Put your hand on your chest and
take a deep breath, exhale and observe the movement of your chest. Monitor the
difference in the count of how many times you breathe in a minute at rest or
while doing a physical exercise. Compare your results with some of your
friends. You will notice that the breathing rate goes up after any exertion.
How do we breathe?
The nose plays a very important
role in respiration. Do you know, why? It is because, the air enters through
our nostrils. When you a have a blocked nose, it is difficult to breathe as the
mucous present in the nostrils prevents air from entering them. Sometimes you
take nasal drops, steam inhalation and other medicines to clear the nasal
passage. The hair present in the nostrils do not allow dust particles to enter
the lungs as these unwanted substances may be harmful .The nose and windpipe
also warm up the air before it enters the lungs. The lungs are like hollow
trees with many branches known as bronchioles that bring air to the body. When
you inhale the lungs expand and when you exhale they contract. Notice your
chest going up and down as you breathe in and breathe out.
Respiration is carried out through
the mouth, nose, trachea, lungs and diaphragm. The Oxygen enters the
respiratory system through the mouth and nose The ribs and diaphragm pull the
oxygen into the lungs and pump the
carbon dioxide out.
A diaphragm is a sheet of muscles which lies across the
bottom of the chest cavity.
When you are sitting in a crowded
room with all the windows and doors closed, you feel uncomfortable and find
difficulty in breathing. The reason for this is that most of the oxygen is used
up and no fresh air in entering the room .As a result the room has very less
oxygen in the air and more of carbon dioxide.
Did you know?
·
Your
system clears the airway by removing the cough and phlegm.
·
Human
lungs contain1450 miles of airways and 200 million alveoli.
·
The
rate of breathing is faster in the young people like for example a new born
will breathe 60 times per minute whereas a 14 year breathes 25 times a minute
and an adult around 20 times.
·
A
sneeze is caused by an irritation in the upper air tract.
·
A
hiccup is generally a spasm of the diaphragm
·
The single
celled animal, Amoeba depends on the diffusion
of gases.
·
Cicadas
and grass hoppers get oxygen through holes and air tubes present in their body
·
Leeches
and Earthworms absorb the air present in the atmosphere through their moist
skin.
·
Fishes
and other aquatic animals have a special organ called the gill. The dissolved
oxygen which is extracted from the water passes through this organ.
·
In plants
the exchange of gases occur through the pores in the leaves and stems. These
structures are called stomata and lenticels.
Thus we conclude that respiration
is an essential process for all living organisms to survive. Always allow fresh
air to enter the room. Keep your nostrils clean. Try to breathe through your
nose as breathing through your mouth is harmful.