Respiration: Meaning of Respiration, Human Respiratory System

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Meaning of Respiration

It is a metabolic process carried out in all living species.
The nutrients are converted into useful energy within the cell.
There is a production of energy with the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide within the same process.
Insects and worms do not have lungs to perform respiration.
Lungs are the primary respiratory organ in animals like birds, lions, cows, elephants, snakes, including humans.

Respiration occurs through spiracles in cockroach.
Spiracles are the small openings on the sides of the body.
Trachea is the respiratory organ of cockroach.
Trachea is also a dense array of a network of air tubes found in the internal system.
The pressure inside the system is balanced by trachea.
The oxygen rich air (enters through spiracles) diffuses into various tissues and cells of the body.
- Oxygen is used for liberating energy.
Carbon-dioxide rich air passes into the trachea.
- Moves outward through spiracles.
It is due to the respiratory process the carbon dioxide is given out.

Earthworms do not have any special respiratory organs.
The skin feels moist and they are called slimy creatures.
The skin is the breathing organ in earthworms.
Air can easily pass through the skin of an earthworm.
Through the moist skin and capillaries, the exchange of gases takes place.
The hemoglobin dissolved in the blood picks up the oxygen and the carbon dioxide are released.
The skin is also used to move water and salts by active transport.
The earthworm’s skin must be kept moist for diffusion to occur.