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Lesson 6 of 17

Breathing is not respiration

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5 min

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We breathe all day. Is that the same as respiration?

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The idea

No. Breathing and respiration are different things.

Breathing is taking air in and giving it out again. Respiration happens inside the body. Oxygen helps break down glucose, a sugar from food. This releases energy.

Respiration, as a word equation
Goes inComes out
Glucose + oxygenCarbon dioxide + water + energy

Respiration makes carbon dioxide. So breathed-out air has more carbon dioxide than breathed-in air. Lime water is a clear liquid made from chuna. It turns milky with carbon dioxide. A teacher can show this.

Two things happen in a body: breathing and respiration.
Step 1 of 3
  1. Two things happen in a body: breathing and respiration.
  2. Breathing: air moves in and out at the nose.
  3. Respiration: energy is released from food, all the time.

Breathing moves air in and out. Respiration uses oxygen to release energy from food.

Try the lab to finish this lesson.