The document summarizes respiration in the human body. It describes how: During inhalation, the internal intercostal muscles relax and external intercostal muscles contract, expanding the rib cage and increasing the thoracic cavity volume. The diaphragm also contracts, lowering pressure in the alveoli and causing air to move in. During exhalation, the actions reverse, decreasing thoracic cavity volume and raising alveolar pressure to push air out. Oxygen diffuses into the blood in the alveoli due to higher partial pressure, while carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood into the alveoli due to lower partial pressure. Oxygen is transported through the blood bound to hemoglobin