How is "respiration" defined in medical terminology?

In medical terminology, "respiration" is defined as the process of inhaling and exhaling air. This encompasses the physiological exchange of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, that occurs during breathing. Inhalation involves taking air into the lungs, where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream, and exhalation is the release of carbon dioxide from the body after oxygen has been utilized by the cells.

This definition is crucial in understanding various aspects of health and physiology, as it highlights the significance of respiration for sustaining life and maintaining the necessary balance of gases in the body. The other options presented do not pertain to the medical definition of respiration. The rate of heartbeats relates to cardiac function, the body's reaction to exercise involves various systems responding to physical activity, and the measurement of temperature pertains to assessing body heat, none of which define respiration.