oxygen in respiration

Oxygen plays a crucial role in respiration, the process by which living organisms convert food into energy. In humans and many animals, we inhale oxygen through the lungs, which then enters the bloodstream. Cells use this oxygen to help break down glucose, a sugar derived from food, releasing energy needed for bodily functions. This process also produces carbon dioxide, which we exhale. Essentially, oxygen is vital for efficient energy production, supporting everything from muscle movement to brain activity, while the removal of carbon dioxide prevents toxicity in the body.