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Breathing is a vital process that supplies the human body with the oxygen necessary for survival. On average, an adult at rest takes about 12 to 20 breaths per minute, with each breath drawing in approximately 500 milliliters (0.5 liters) of air. Over the course of a day, this amounts to roughly 10,000 to 15,000 liters of air inhaled by the human body.
The amount of air a person breathes in daily depends on several factors:
Activity level: During physical exercise, the breathing rate and depth increase, causing a person to inhale more air compared to resting conditions.
Age and body size: Larger individuals or those with higher metabolic needs may breathe more air.
Environment: Air quality, altitude, and oxygen levels can influence breathing patterns.
When we inhale air, only about 21% of it is oxygen, while most of the rest is nitrogen, with small amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases. The lungs absorb oxygen from the air and transfer it into the bloodstream, where it is carried to all cells for energy production. The human body excretes carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, during exhalation.
Breathing 10,000 to 15,000 liters of air daily ensures that enough oxygen reaches tissues and organs to support cellular respiration, the process that generates energy for bodily functions. The remaining gases are exhaled without being used.
The other options in the question are either too low or too high compared to scientific estimates:
5,000 to 10,000 liters: Typical for infants or undercounted breathing rates.
15,000 to 25,000 liters: Can occur during heavy physical activity but not average daily intake.
Therefore, the correct and widely accepted estimate is 10,000 to 15,000 liters of air per day, making option B the correct answer.
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