Respiration is a critical biological process that enables living organisms to obtain energy from food. In humans and animals, respiration involves taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide through breathing. At the cellular level, oxygen is used in a process called cellular respiration to produce energy in the form of ATP, which powers essential bodily functions.
The process of respiration includes both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and takes place in the mitochondria, while anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and produces less energy. Understanding respiration helps explain how cells, organs, and entire ecosystems function and survive.