How does respiration differ from ventilation?

Respiration is fundamentally defined as the process of gas exchange, which occurs primarily in the alveoli of the lungs. During respiration, oxygen is transferred from the air within the alveoli into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the alveoli to be eliminated from the body. This biological process is essential for providing the body with the oxygen it needs for cellular metabolism and for removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration.

Ventilation, on the other hand, refers specifically to the mechanical act of moving air into and out of the lungs. This process involves inhalation and exhalation, allowing fresh air to reach the alveoli and enabling gas exchange to occur.

Thus, while both respiration and ventilation are integral to the respiratory system, they are distinct processes: ventilation focuses on the movement of air, whereas respiration encompasses the gas exchange that takes place once air is within the lungs.