What is the main function of the respiratory system?
A) To circulate blood and nutrients
B) To bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide
C) To break down food into absorbable molecules
D) To produce hormones and regulate metabolism
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B) To bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide.
The respiratory system is responsible for the process of breathing, which allows the body to take in oxygen from the air and expel carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism. Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration, the process by which cells produce energy. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is a byproduct of this energy production and must be removed from the body to maintain a healthy pH balance in the blood.
The respiratory system includes the lungs, airways, diaphragm, and other associated structures. When you inhale, air enters through the nose or mouth and travels down the trachea, into the bronchi, and eventually into the lungs. In the lungs, oxygen from the air is exchanged with carbon dioxide in the blood through small air sacs called alveoli. This oxygen is then transported by the bloodstream to the tissues and organs, where it is used for energy production.
Simultaneously, carbon dioxide from the bloodstream is transferred into the alveoli and expelled from the body when you exhale. This exchange of gases—oxygen entering the blood and carbon dioxide leaving—is vital for the body to function properly. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles help control the breathing process by contracting and relaxing to facilitate airflow into and out of the lungs.
This process is essential for survival, as every cell in the body needs oxygen to function. Without the respiratory system’s ability to take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, cells would be unable to produce the energy they need, and the body would not be able to maintain its normal metabolic processes.