critical biological concepts related to respiration
The workshop allowed me to learn many critical biological concepts related to respiration. One of the most important is that the human body needs oxygen to survive. The amount of oxygen in the body significantly impacts muscle performance and exercise capabilities. That knowledge helps me understand the reason why many high-level athletes carry oxygen when performing their daily activities. I also learned that oxygen is not only crucial during exercise but even after. Anyone who understands the importance of oxygen to muscles and exercise may also want to use portable oxygen for the same reason.
I learned that some processes happen to a human muscle during exercise. The processes result in the production of energy by the use of oxygen. The oxygen that is used for that case is obtained from the air that is usually breathed in. Some of it is used directly in the bloodstream for the same reason, while the excess is stored in muscles as a compound referred to as myoglobin. I also learned that muscles need energy, regardless of whether a person is exercising or not. Oxygen combines with substrates in the body, mainly glucose, to produce a compound called ATP. I also learned that the demand for oxygen during exercise is higher than during rest. That is the reason why one breathes faster during exercise to take in enough oxygen for that purpose. The heart also beats faster to move the inhaled gas to the desired organs and tissues.
I learned some of the respiratory problems and treatment measures. Such include asthma, allergies, and sinusitis. The disorders are associated with adverse events such as chest congestion, shallow breathing, nasal congestion, and coughing. I learned how to conduct pulmonary function tests such as methacholine challenge spirometry, as well as physical examinations for some of the stated disorders. I can use the knowledge to assess patients for respiratory problems by checking for any deviations from the normal.