Breathing vs.

Respiration

Breathing Definition
Breathing is a biophysical process that involves the exchange of gases
through inhalation and exhalation.
 Breathing is also called ‘external respiration’ as it is an external process of
taking oxygen in and throwing carbon dioxide out via respiratory organs.
 The process of breathing in all vertebrates consists of highly branches
network of tubes that connect the nose and the alveoli.
 Breathing in repetitive cycles where the number of respiratory cycles in a
minute is called breathing or respiratory rate.
 Under normal conditions, the rate and depth of breathing are controlled by
several homeostasis mechanisms to maintain the partial pressure of oxygen
and carbon dioxide in the blood.
 The mechanism of breathing involves contraction and relaxation of several
muscles present in the thoracic cavity because the lungs are not capable of
inflating on their own.
 In humans and most vertebrates, the inflation of lungs is brought by the
contraction of the diaphragm and the intercostals muscles, causing the rib
cage to rise upwards and outwards.
 During inhalation, the air is taken in through the nose that passes through
the nasal passage, the pharynx, the larynx to reach the respiratory tree.
 The respirator tree begins with the trachea that is divided into several
narrower branches. The number of branches differs with organisms as
humans have about 23 branches, whereas the respiratory tree of a mouse
has up to 13 branches.
 The air thus passes through these branches and finally reaches the alveoli.
The exchange of gases takes place in the alveoli where the oxygen is
diffused into the blood present in the blood vessels, and the carbon dioxide
from the blood is diffused into the alveoli.
 The carbon dioxide is then exhaled when the diaphragm and other
respiratory muscles relax, causing the lungs to contract. The exhalation is a
passive process.
 The air in the lungs then gets pushed up and out, which causes it to pass
through the trachea and nasal passage back to the atmosphere.
 Breathing is a voluntary process and thus requires energy. Lack of energy
might result in difficulty in breathing.
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Respiration Definition
Respiration is a biochemical process to release energy from organic
compounds which are then used for performing different physical
activities.
 Respiration is also called ‘internal respiration’ as it is an internal process of
breaking down complex organic compounds into carbon dioxide and water
while releasing energy.
 Respiration, unlike breathing, occurs in all living organisms.
 It is an involuntary process that occurs automatically if all the reactants for
the reactions are available.
 Respiration takes place in the mitochondria of all the cells throughout the
body.
 Respiration is a metabolic process where glucose is oxidized in the presence
of oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.
 Respiration can occur either in the presence of oxygen or in its absence.
Respiration in the presence of oxygen is aerobic respiration, whereas the
respiration in the absence of oxygen is anaerobic.
 The reactions involved in cellular respiration are catabolic reactions which
break down complex compounds into simple ones.
 The process of respiration is dependent on various enzymes that catalyze
different steps in the metabolic pathway. These enzymes regulate the rate
and direction of these reactions.
 These enzymes are present on the inner and outer mitochondrial membrane
or in the cytoplasm. The enzymes for glycolysis are present in the cytoplasm,
but the enzymes for Kreb’s cycles are present in the inner mitochondrial
membrane.
 Cellular respiration occurs through a number of cycles like glycolysis, Kreb’s
cycle and electron transport chain. All of these reactions together result in a
large amount of energy and oxidation of organic compounds.
 The nutrients that are commonly used by organisms during respiration are
carbohydrates, amino acids and fatty acids. The most common oxidizing
agent is molecular oxygen, although other chemicals like sulphur and
nitrogen can also be used.
 Although respiration is mostly associated with the release of carbon dioxide
gas, other forms of respiration like fermentation are also equally important.
 Fermentation forms the basis of alcohol formation. Similarly, other anaerobic
respiration processes like lactic acid fermentation and propionic acid
fermentation are essential for the production of cheese and other milk
products.
 Respiration is an important metabolic process as it is mostly a passive
process, resulting in a large number of ATPs.

Basis for
Breathing Respiration
Comparison
Respiration is a
biochemical process to
Breathing is a biophysical
release energy from
process that involves the
Definition organic compounds
exchange of gases through
which are then used for
inhalation and exhalation.
performing different
physical activities.

It is a
It is a biochemical
Process biomechanical/biophysical
process.
process.

Respiration consists of
Breathing consists of two
three steps; glycolysis,
Steps steps; inhalation and
Kreb’s cycle and electron
exhalation.
transport chain.
 Breathing includes both
Voluntary or Respiration is an
voluntary and involuntary
involuntary involuntary action.
actions.

Except for some

Inhalation is an active
reactions in glycolysis,
Active or passive process, whereas exhalation
no other steps require
is a passive process.
energy.

Respiration produces a
Breathing provides oxygen
large amount of energy
Purpose to different parts of the
by the degradation of
body.
organic compounds.

Breathing occurs in all Respiration occurs in all

Occurs in vertebrates and some living organism present
arthropods. on the earth.

Breathing doesn’t provide Respiration results in the

Energy
energy. production of energy.

Several enzymes
No enzymes are involved in
Enzymes catalyze different steps
breathing.
of respiration.

Breathing involves most

Respiration occurs in the
Organs organs of the respiratory
mitochondria of cells.
system.

Intracellular or Breathing is an extracellular Respiration is an

extracellular process. intracellular process.

Different respiratory muscles

Muscles are not involved
Muscles and diaphragm are involved
during respiration.
in breathing.
 Breathing is regulated by
Respiration is regulated
Regulation respiratory muscles and
by various enzymes.
diaphragm.

The two major events

during respiration are
The two major events during
gas exchange and
Major activities breathing are gas exchange
breakdown of complex
and ventilation.
compounds into simpler
forms.

Respiration is a
Metabolic No metabolic reactions are
metabolic process with
reactions involved in breathing.
multiple reactions.

References and Sources

 Waugh A and Grant A. (2004) Anatomy and Physiology. Ninth Edition. Churchill Livingstone.
 2% – https://www.britannica.com/science/human-respiratory-system/Chemoreceptors
 2% – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_respiration
 1% – https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-internal-and-vs-external-respiration/
 1% – https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-fermentation-and-vs-anaerobic-
respiration/
 1% – https://wikimili.com/en/Breathing
 1% – https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-respiration-definition-process-equation.html
 1% – https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory
 1% – https://scienceaid.net/biology/biochemistry/respiration.html
 1% – https://quizapple.blogspot.com/2016/12/breathing-is-accomplished-via-rhythmic.html
 1% – https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and_Physiology/Book
%3A_Anatomy_and_Physiology_(Boundless)/21%3A_Respiratory_System/
21.5%3A_Mechanics_of_Breathing/21.5D%3A_Breathing_Patterns
 1% – https://biologywise.com/anaerobic-respiration
 1% – https://answersdrive.com/what-is-a-biochemical-pathway-of-cellular-respiration-that-is-
anaerobic-5482918
 1% – http://www.scienceclarified.com/Qu-Ro/Respiration.html
 <1% – https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/biology-of-the-lungs-
and-airways/exchanging-oxygen-and-carbon-dioxide
 <1% – https://socratic.org/questions/what-is-the-pathway-air-follows-as-it-passes-through-your-
respiratory-system
 <1% – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_mitochondrial_membrane