What Is the Purpose of Respiration?

The purpose of respiration is to supply the body with oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide. Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration as cells cannot exist in the absence of it.

The human lungs are the organs responsible for respiration. Together with the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx and trachea, they form the respiratory system. When a person inhales, air flows through the airways, inflating the lungs and filling them with oxygen. When a person exhales, the air from lungs flows out of the airways. The same cycle repeats with every single breath. As many other functions of the body, respiration is controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

World View

9 of the Best Online Citation Generators for Academic Papers

History

The History of Independence Day in the U.S.

World View

This Year We’re Skipping the Fireworks, and Other 4th of July Safety Tips

History

Why Was the Declaration of Independence Written?

History

58 Years Later: What Was the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

History

Facts About the Louisiana Purchase That Might Surprise You