åndedrætsfunktionen

The breathing function, or respiration, is a vital physiological process that allows organisms to exchange gases with their environment. In humans and most animals, this process involves the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide. The primary organ responsible for breathing in mammals is the lungs, which are part of the respiratory system.

The mechanics of breathing are driven by the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. When these muscles contract, they increase the volume of the thoracic cavity, causing air to be drawn into the lungs during inhalation. Conversely, relaxation of these muscles reduces the cavity's volume, forcing air out of the lungs during exhalation. This continuous cycle ensures a constant supply of oxygen to the body's tissues and the removal of metabolic waste products, primarily carbon dioxide.

Oxygen, once inside the lungs, diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli (tiny air sacs) into the bloodstream. It is then transported by red blood cells to all parts of the body, where it is used in cellular respiration to produce energy. Carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cellular respiration, is transported back to the lungs by the blood to be expelled from the body. The rate and depth of breathing can be adjusted by the body in response to varying metabolic demands, such as during exercise, or by external factors like the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood. This regulatory mechanism is controlled by the respiratory center in the brainstem.