Difference Between Breathing and Respiration

Introduction: Fundamental Processes of Life

Breathing and respiration are the general functions that allow living organisms, including human beings to breathe in and keep an air supply. These processes have been used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide gases, which play an important role in cell metabolism and energy supply. In this paper, we shall discuss the difference between breathing and respiration, explain what breathing and respiration entails, what is the difference between breathing and respiration, what is breathing and what is respiration, characteristics of breathing and respiration.

What is Breathing and Respiration?

Breathing and respiration are two almost related interdependent processes important to the survival of living organisms starting with humans. The terms are often used interchangeably but refer to different aspects of the overall mechanism in a process that takes place within the body for gas exchange.

Breathing is the mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs by a process known as ventilation. It facilitates the exchange of gases between the respiratory system and the outside environment. Therefore, the main organs that execute breathing are the lungs, and with associated structures such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.

Respiration: On the contrary, the term respiration defines the general process of gas exchange happening at the cellular level. It states that cells use oxygen for their energy through the breakdown of glucose and other related nutrients in the form of ATP. While so, it is doing respiration by removing the waste product of cellular metabolism- carbon dioxide-CO2-from the cells.

Respiration entails the cellular use of oxygen to generate energy, ridding the body of its waste products, predominantly carbon dioxide. Breathing, on the other hand, pertains to the mechanical uptake and expulsion of air into and out of the body. Therefore, alongside breathing, respiration ensures the process of gas exchange required for cellular metabolism and the proper functioning of the body.

Function of Breathing and Respiration

The function of breathing and respiration is crucial for maintaining the physiological processe necessary for life. Let’s explore the functions of each process individually:

Function of Breathing:

1. Gas Exchange: The most important function of respiration would be the exchange of gases, particularly through the lungs, between the ambient environment and the blood. When taking in air during inhalation, the oxygen-rich air moves into the lungs where it diffuses into the blood; the carbon dioxide produced from metabolism is released out of the blood into the lungs and then expelled into the ambient environment when the individual exhales.

2. Oxygen Supply: Respiration ensures oxygen is constantly delivered to all cells in the body. Oxygen is a vital element in aerobic respiration, which is occurring in the cells and accounts for most of the energy that cells generate in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Organs and systems should operate at their prime; sufficient delivery of oxygen is needed to achieve that, such as for brain activity, pumping of blood by the heart, and the movement of muscles.

3. Excretion of Carbon Dioxide: The primary function of respiration is the expulsion of carbon dioxide, which is the waste product formed by cellular respiration. The carbon dioxide expelled is circulated back into the lungs, which then vent it out of the body through expiration. Maintaining a balance of carbon dioxide in the blood is crucial in ensuring that the pH balance is never acidic.

Function of Respiration:

1. Cellular Energy Production: The major role of respiration is to produce energy, in terms of ATP, within the cell. The process of respiration decomposes glucose and other nutrients through complex biochemical reactions that release the stored energy. These energies are then utilized by cells for the different processes, such as muscle contraction, assembling molecules, moving molecules against concentration gradients across a membrane, and all other functions in the cell.

2. ATP Synthesis: Respiration occurs in the mitochondria of cells. The process has three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (known otherwise as the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain). Collectively, these processes produce ATP as the principal fuel for all cellular activity.

3. Removal of waste product from cells. Carbon dioxide is produced as a by-product of respiration inside cells. Carbon dioxide diffuses out of the cells into the bloodstream and is transported through the body back to the lungs, from where it is expelled out through breathing. Other waste products, including excess water and heat, that are produced in the cellular metabolism process are also removed from the body through various physiological methods.

Oxygen and carbon dioxide must be exchanged between the lungs and the environment through breathing; the body needs a continuous supply of oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Respiration mainly occurs inside the cells and creates energy-atp-from the breakdown of glucose and other nutrients, while waste products are removed. Together, breathing and respiration help keep the balance in oxygen-carbon dioxide supply energy to the body while supporting cellular metabolism and all functions of the physiology.

Characteristics of Breathing and Respiration

Breathing: Breathing a voluntary and involuntary proces, meaning we can consciously control our breathing but it also occurs automatically without our conscious effort.

• Breathing primarily involve the exchange of gases between the lungs and the external environment.
• Breathing is regulated by the respiratory centre in the brainstem, responding to the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.

Respiration: Respiration is an involuntary process that  a occurs at the cellular level.

• Cellular respiration take place in the mitochondria of cells and involves the breakdown of glucose and other nutrients to produce ATP.
• Respiration involves three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

Difference Between Breathing and Respiration

Summary

Both processes, which are interrelated and essential to maintain the life, are characterized as the mechanical inhalation and exhalation of air, known as breathing, and the cellular exchange of gases necessary for energy production, also called respiration. Both of them are critical for the maintenance of the oxygen and carbon dioxide balance in the body, facilitation of cellular metabolism and whole physiological functions. Understanding the properties and  breathing and respiration differences will therefore improve our understanding of the intricate mechanisms that enable us to live.