11.1.4

Breathing Process

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Breathing

Inspiration (breathing in) and expiration (breathing out) involve many parts of the thorax moving in the following steps:

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Inspiration

  • The diaphragm contracts and becomes flattened.
  • The internal intercostal muscles relax and the external intercostal muscles contract, moving the ribcage up and out.
  • The thorax volume increases, forcing air into the lungs because of decreased internal pressure.
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Expiration

  • The diaphragm relaxes and becomes dome-shaped.
  • The internal intercostal muscles contract and the external intercostal muscles relax, moving the ribcage downwards and in.
  • The thorax volume decreases, increasing internal pressure.
  • Air is forced out of the lungs.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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