Final answer:
Breathing, or ventilation, is the process of drawing air into the lungs and letting the air out. Inhaling is an active process that involves the contraction of the diaphragm, while exhaling is a passive process that occurs when the diaphragm relaxes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Breathing, or ventilation, is the two-step process of drawing air into the lungs (inhaling) and letting the air out of the lungs (exhaling). Inhaling is an active process that results mainly from the contraction of a muscle called the diaphragm. Exhaling is typically a passive process that occurs mainly due to the elasticity of the lungs when the diaphragm relaxes.