Why Do We Need Oxygen To Survive?

Everyone breathes, but why is oxygen important?

Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on the HowStuffWorks team to explore - and explain - the everyday science in the world around us on BrainStuff.

SOURCES:

THE BODY. By: Lawton, Graham, Provine, Robert R., Williams, Caroline, Brown, Julia, Roach, Mary, O'Callaghan, Tiffany, Hooper, Rowan, Coghlan, Andy, New Scientist, 02624079, 3/16/2013, Vol. 217, Issue 2908

AIR, NECESSARY TO LIFE. By: Fabre, Jean-Henri, Attias, Michaël, Chicago Review, 00093696, Spring2005, Vol. 51, Issue ½

THE MOST ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT: ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH?. (2007). New Life Journal: Carolina Edition, 8(6), 8-9.

[watvid]

I'm so good at breathing I can do it in my sleep!

[unknownsniper]

Im not trying to brag, but im pretty darn good at breathing.

[MarshmallowMadnesss]

As I read through the comments on the YouTube channel, I am surprised and amazed at the responses and constant communication from Brain Stuff. It is truly refreshing to see people's thirst for knowledge and follow up questions answered here.

[zackh]

My breathing level is a solid pro. I have nearly 23 years experience in the field. If breathing was a game; my skill would be over 9000.

[glitched]

This was exactly the information I wanted when I looked up ‘why do I need oxygen anyway?’ Makes perfect sense now, thank you sir!

[carwashindustries]

I'm one of the best at breathing. #12 in the nation this year.  Coach said if i can get my respiration up this year i got a real shot at taking nationals and maybe one day become a universal breather which has always ben my life lung dream.

[Teezy]

I'm really good at breathing. And I love doing it too - so much so I reckon I'd die if I wasn't allowed to breathe anymore

[Hassan]

And now you've just switched to manual breathing!

[Master_Therion]

Thanks Josh, for *inspiring* us to breath so we don't *expire*. 

(Inspire and expire means to breath in and out)

[noormasood]

Wow! This video was soooo helpful! I mean I have a science test tomorrow and I have to finish a science project today and seriously this video was just what I needed! Love it! Keep up the good work!

[Francisco-igbz]

im 33 years old and im still learning to breathe

[nakada]

Back in my country I learned that plants breath oxygen at night and try not to put many pants in your room or you'll suffocate! I came to America and asked everyone including my teachers "Do plants also breath oxygen at night too?" they looked confused and I thought I was taught wrong!whenever I go camping, sleeping outside is pretty hard for me because I think I might suffocate from all the trees around me

[BrainStuffShow]

You will die in just a few minutes without oxygen. But why do we need it to survive? 

[mackenson]

No I'm not good at breathing, I need more practice I died 3 time. What type of dumb question was that?

[MrTerrortubby]

Carbohydrates are NOT "broken down into ATP", although their breakdown does phosphorylate ADP into ATP through glycolysis and Krebs cycle.

[rekalty]

That's nice and all, but how long can you go without hugs?

[glaucusyellow]

Yes Josh, I would say that I am quite the breathing enthusiast. Thanks for asking by the way.

[MattMattson]

This is important information in this day and age!

[rkcreation...]

You have give Very simple explanation which are complicate to understand through reading and use very nice examples..
Nice video..
I am new subscriber of you.. Keep doing..

[DevBishwasBh]

I am IT guy but yeah I love biology and natural education, it's fun. I am gonna have nice knowledge after this video