The Evolution of Breathing and Oxygen Production

Evolution on Earth traces back four billion years when microorganisms began producing oxygen by consuming carbon dioxide. Over time, the oxygen content in the atmosphere increased, leading organisms to evolve mechanisms for harnessing its energy. Oxygen proved to be 16 times more energy-efficient than carbon dioxide, facilitating the development of complex life forms like plants, trees, bees, and mammals. While our ancient ancestors had facial features optimized for oxygen intake, human facial structure has evolved over the centuries, affecting our breathing patterns. Humans now breathe differently from other mammals due to changes in our facial skeleton caused by evolution.