What is the function of the human respiratory system?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The primary function of the human respiratory system is to facilitate gas exchange, specifically the intake of oxygen (O₂) and the removal of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This system enables the body to acquire the oxygen necessary for cellular respiration, which produces energy, and expel carbon dioxide, a waste product of this process.
Explanation:
The respiratory system includes several key organs: the nose, throat (pharynx), windpipe (trachea), lungs, and diaphragm. It begins with the nasal cavity, where air is filtered, warmed, and moistened. The air then travels through the trachea, branching into two bronchi that lead to the lungs. Within the lungs, the bronchi divide into smaller bronchioles, eventually reaching tiny air sacs called alveoli.
In the alveoli, gas exchange occurs through a process called diffusion. Oxygen from the inhaled air passes through the thin walls of the alveoli into the capillaries, where it binds to red blood cells for transport throughout the body. At the same time, carbon dioxide, which has accumulated in the blood due to cellular metabolism, diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.
Breathing is regulated by the respiratory center in the brain, which monitors the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. When CO₂ concentrations rise, the body automatically increases the rate and depth of breathing to expel the excess gas and restore balance. The diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle beneath the lungs, plays a vital role in this process. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, expanding the lungs to draw in air. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes, and air is expelled from the lungs.
In addition to gas exchange, the respiratory system also helps regulate blood pH by controlling the levels of carbonic acid, which is produced when CO₂ reacts with water in the blood. This regulation is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the body.