Doesn’t seem to be a single established reason for yawning. Or perhaps even yawning serves several different purposes and people yawn at different times for different reasons.
Also, the primary function of yawning as I understood it from high school biology classes was actually to increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, as tiredness is mainly caused by not breathin in enough oxygen and rebreathing carbon dioxide. Yawning clears this away to give the body more fresh oxygen. :)
@Yet_One_More_Idiot
Yep.
To clarify, “heat” is the manifestation of the kinetic energy of the particles (that also explains why, if you heat some gas in a container, the pressure raises too), and it has nothing to do with the element mass.
In this case, just plain old thermodynamics is enough: blood brings heat to the lungs, warms up the air there, we breathe out warm air, breathe in fresh air, the blood gets cooler and refreshes our organs, brain included. And the cycle is repeated until we die.
@thps48
??
Nope, that doesn’t make any sense, pal.
I agree with BigMax there, thps48, what you said made no sense. Carbon Dioxide isn’t on the periodic table, it’s a molecular compound. And if you’re thinking of Carbon, it’s actually earlier in the periodic table than Oxygen is. xD
Also, the primary function of yawning as I understood it from high school biology classes was actually to increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, as tiredness is mainly caused by not breathin in enough oxygen and rebreathing carbon dioxide. Yawning clears this away to give the body more fresh oxygen. :)
@Jim Prower
It makes sense, if you think about it.
Thermoregulation has several ways to work.
@Rpground
It also explains why yawning is contagious: when you see someone yawning, as a reflex of brain thinks it’s hot, and preemptyvely tries to cool itself.
I…did not know that. Was taught that yawning is only when you’re tired…though that might actually be a side effect of it all, you’re tired your brain works harder to keep you going…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yawn
@Yet_One_More_Idiot
These folks are correct. Sorry, Twi.
Yep.
To clarify, “heat” is the manifestation of the kinetic energy of the particles (that also explains why, if you heat some gas in a container, the pressure raises too), and it has nothing to do with the element mass.
In this case, just plain old thermodynamics is enough: blood brings heat to the lungs, warms up the air there, we breathe out warm air, breathe in fresh air, the blood gets cooler and refreshes our organs, brain included. And the cycle is repeated until we die.
Damn, I just yawned to myself…
@BigMax
I agree with BigMax there, thps48, what you said made no sense. Carbon Dioxide isn’t on the periodic table, it’s a molecular compound. And if you’re thinking of Carbon, it’s actually earlier in the periodic table than Oxygen is. xD
The moar you (now) know. :P
??
Nope, that doesn’t make any sense, pal.
I’d hazard oxygen is hotter than carbon dioxide because it’s closer to hydrogen on the table.
Also, the primary function of yawning as I understood it from high school biology classes was actually to increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, as tiredness is mainly caused by not breathin in enough oxygen and rebreathing carbon dioxide. Yawning clears this away to give the body more fresh oxygen. :)
It makes sense, if you think about it.
Thermoregulation has several ways to work.
@Rpground
It also explains why yawning is contagious: when you see someone yawning, as a reflex of brain thinks it’s hot, and preemptyvely tries to cool itself.
Yee wah laddy?