Respiration is the release of energy by “burning” glucose in the presence of oxygen. To carry out respiration the body needs glucose and energy, glucose can be sourced in the food which all individuals eat; oxygen is supplied from the air which is breathed in. All humans have to breathe to take in oxygen from the air and get rid of carbon dioxide; this is known as gas exchange. This leads to aerobic respiration for Karen and anaerobic for Michael.
Aerobic respiration is a chemical reaction that occurs inside the mitochondria structures in cells. This is glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water (+energy), the energy released is used within the body to enable muscles to contract, produce heat, build up larger molecules using smaller ones and it is used in the active transport of materials across boundaries
Those who take regular aerobic exercise can help avoid chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and some cancers. It can also lower blood pressure, build stronger bones, improve muscle strength and flexibility, lessen depression and help control weight. Aerobic exercise includes walking, running, hiking, bicycling, swimming, cross-country skiing, stair climbing, rowing and many other activities.
During vigorous exercise such as Karen the circulatory system may not be able to supply enough oxygenated blood to the muscle cells and therefore they will stop contracting efficiently. Anaerobic respiration is used by the cells to release more energy. This type of respiration is without oxygen. Anaerobic respiration does not break down the glucose completely; therefore much less energy is released than in aerobic respiration. Cramps may occur due to the poisonous production of lactic acid. After exercise the individual continues to pant in order to supply more oxygen to oxidise the lactic acid.
Michael is experiencing the short term effects of exercise, due to this within his body
Michael needs much more oxygen to cope with the exercise. To produce the large volume of oxygen which the lungs needs he is breathing faster and deeper. Due to an increased amount of oxygen in the body more carbon dioxide is produced. This is a waste produce so the body will excrete it, the blood carries the carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled. Michael’s heart beats faster and pumps blood around the body faster. Cardio-respiratory fitness is the condition of the heart, and lungs that is indicative of good .
There are some instant benefits of short-term exercise are such as keeping weight down and being more supple. It also boosts the skin's blood supply so that the individuals face looks healthier. One big short-term benefit is that exercise has been shown to be effective in lifting the mood and maintaining mental alertness. The body needs much more Oxygen therefore breathing becomes faster and deeper and this leads to the production of a large volume of Oxygen.
As the body needs more oxygen more blood is also needed to carry the excess oxygen and waste products. The blood in the stomach is reduced as the blood is diverted from parts of the body that do not require it. The blood is helped back to the heart by veins which are squeezed by contracting muscles. This causes adrenaline to be released which makes the cells in the body burn up more oxygen. When sweating and exhaling excess heat and H2O are eliminated from the body, the blood carries away these waste products from the cells in the muscles this causes breathe to be hot and moist during exercise.
The rib cage, sternum and diaphragm work harder in expanding and reducing the lungs in order to get oxygen in and carbon dioxide out, the breathing rate increases during exercise. The heart beats faster and pumps blood around the body faster, the heart fills up with more blood and this is squeezed out with each contraction of the muscles in the heart. The heart rate and blood pressure increase during exercise. Those exercising go red as the veins in their body are carrying warm blood back to the heart and divert the blood nearer the skins surface. This heat is then lost through radiation through the skin.
