Which of the following describes breathing out?

The process of breathing out is known as expiration. During expiration, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, allowing the lungs to recoil and push air out. This is a crucial part of the respiratory cycle, as it helps remove carbon dioxide from the body, which is a waste product of cellular metabolism. Understanding expiration is essential for grasping how the respiratory system functions in maintaining proper gas exchange and overall homeostasis within the body.

In contrast, inspiration refers to the inhalation process, where air is drawn into the lungs. Ventilation encompasses both inspiration and expiration, referring to the overall process of moving air in and out of the lungs. Transpiration, on the other hand, is a term primarily used in plant biology to describe the process of water vapor loss from plants, and it does not apply to respiratory functions in humans. Therefore, the definition of expiration specifically aligns with the act of breathing out.