The respiratory system is primarily responsible for:
a) Circulating blood
b) Breaking down food
c) Getting oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide
d) Producing hormones
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c) Getting oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide.
The respiratory system plays a crucial role in the process of gas exchange, which is essential for maintaining proper cellular function. This system includes the lungs, airways, diaphragm, and various muscles involved in breathing. Its primary function is to supply the body with oxygen, which is required for cellular respiration, and to remove carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism.
When air is inhaled, oxygen enters the lungs and moves into the bloodstream through tiny air sacs called alveoli. The oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells and is then transported throughout the body, where it is used by tissues to produce energy. At the same time, carbon dioxide, produced as a waste product by the cells during energy production, is transported back to the lungs through the bloodstream. This gas is then exhaled, completing the cycle.
The respiratory system works in tandem with the cardiovascular system, which transports the oxygen-rich blood throughout the body and brings back carbon dioxide for removal. Without the respiratory system’s ability to get oxygen into the body and expel carbon dioxide, the body would not be able to maintain proper metabolic functions.
In contrast, the other options listed (circulating blood, breaking down food, producing hormones) are functions of different systems in the body. The circulatory system handles blood circulation, the digestive system is responsible for food breakdown, and the endocrine system produces hormones. Therefore, option c is the most accurate description of the respiratory system’s primary role.