we know that people need more oxygen when they are active. draw conclusins on why it is so.
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 7:28pm
science
I will be happy to critique your thinking.
The reason why people need more oxygen when they are active can be explained through the study of human physiology. When we engage in physical activities, our bodies require more energy to perform the necessary movements. This increased energy demand is met through a process called cellular respiration, which takes place within our cells.
During cellular respiration, glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen are used by our cells to produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This energy is required for various functions in the body, such as muscle contractions, nerve impulses, and the maintenance of vital organ systems.
To meet the increased energy demand during physical activity, our body needs to supply more oxygen to the cells. Oxygen is transported by our circulatory system through the bloodstream to the muscles and tissues that require it. The increased blood flow ensures that an adequate amount of oxygen reaches the active cells.
When we engage in physical activities, several factors contribute to the increased need for oxygen:
1. Increased muscle activity: Active muscles require more energy and, therefore, more oxygen to perform contractions. This is why you may feel out of breath during intense exercise.
2. Increased heart rate: Physical activity stimulates the heart to beat faster and pump more blood. This ensures a steady supply of oxygen to the active muscles and helps remove waste products like carbon dioxide.
3. Increased lung ventilation: As physical activity increases, our breathing rate and depth also increase. This elevated ventilation helps facilitate the exchange of gases in the lungs, allowing more oxygen to enter the bloodstream.
So, to summarize, people need more oxygen when they are active because their muscles require additional energy, which is produced through cellular respiration. This necessitates an increase in blood flow, heart rate, and lung ventilation to meet the oxygen demand of the active cells.