2007-01-02 05:20:50 · 9 answers · asked by curious 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The most plausible explanation, and the one that is taught in medical school, is that we yawn because oxygen levels in our lungs are low. Studies have shown that during normal, at-rest breathing, we don’t use anywhere near our lung capacity; for the most part, we just use the air sacs at the bottom of the lungs. If the air sacs, called alveoli, don’t get fresh air, they partially collapse and the lungs stiffen a bit. As a result, it’s believed, our brain prompts the body to either sigh or take a yawn to get more air into the lungs.
2007-01-02 05:24:44 · answer #1 · answered by The Editor 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Partly because we breathe shallowly and occasionally need more oxygen, and also because it equalizes the pressure in your inner ear with the outside (try it: intentionally yawn on a road trip when it feels like your ears will pop). The contagious factor of yawning is completely psychological, and may be hardwired logic that the environment has changed, and we didn't notice.
2007-01-02 05:32:09 · answer #2 · answered by campadrenalin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think that yawn is a involuntary reflex to help us control our oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Yawning brings more oxyen into our blood and helps our body move the carbon dioixide out of the blood.
2007-01-02 06:04:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a way for your body to take in more oxegen. Thats mostly why we yawn. Breath deep more often and you will stop yawning..
2007-01-02 05:24:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you touch someones face while they are yawning they will stop in mid-yawn. Not sure why, but it works.
2007-01-02 05:28:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea but it must be useful because I have seen a lot of mammals do it, including dogs and my wife. Cats, hippos. It must be a low level brain thing that says "get me a good dose of fresh air" in response to low oxygen levels in the blood. But I made all this up so I might be completely wrong.
2007-01-02 05:25:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your body is telling you that you are lacking oxygen.
2007-01-02 05:23:23 · answer #7 · answered by capnemo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because we're tired.
2007-01-02 05:27:57 · answer #8 · answered by Taylor Swift Lovah™ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your question......
2007-01-02 05:22:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋