When we exhale, we release several substances, primarily:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): The most significant component of exhaled air is carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration. Our cells produce CO2 as a byproduct of metabolizing food for energy. This CO2 is transported in the bloodstream to the lungs, where it diffuses into the air sacs (alveoli) and is expelled during exhalation.
Water Vapor: Exhaled air contains water vapor due to the moisture present in the respiratory system. As we breathe, the moist surfaces of the respiratory tract contribute to the humidity of the exhaled air.
Oxygen (O2): While a small amount of oxygen is still present in exhaled air, the oxygen content is reduced compared to inhaled air because some of it is absorbed by the body's tissues during the inhalation process.
Exhaled air contains a mixture of these components, and it plays a crucial role in removing carbon dioxide, a waste product, from the body, while also providing oxygen to the surrounding environment.