What is the primary gas exchanged in the lungs during respiration?

What is the primary gas exchanged in the lungs during respiration?

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Oxygen
• C. Carbon Dioxide
• D. Hydrogen

Answer: (B)

The primary gas exchanged in the lungs during respiration is oxygen. In the respiratory process, air is inhaled into the lungs where oxygen, present in the air, diffuses across the alveolar walls into the blood. This oxygen is then transported by red blood cells to various tissues and organs, where it is utilized for cellular respiration to produce energy. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste product produced by cells during metabolism, is transported back to the lungs via the blood. In the alveoli, carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the lungs and is subsequently exhaled. While both oxygen and carbon dioxide are essential in this process, the primary focus during the exchange in the lungs is on oxygen, as it is vital for sustaining aerobic respiration in the body. Nitrogen and hydrogen are not the primary gases involved in the respiratory exchange in the lungs; nitrogen is largely inert and does not participate in gas exchange, while hydrogen is not a prominent component of respiratory gas exchange. Thus, oxygen is correctly identified as the key gas in the breathing process.

The primary gas exchanged in the lungs during respiration is oxygen. In the respiratory process, air is inhaled into the lungs where oxygen, present in the air, diffuses across the alveolar walls into the blood. This oxygen is then transported by red blood cells to various tissues and organs, where it is utilized for cellular respiration to produce energy.

At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste product produced by cells during metabolism, is transported back to the lungs via the blood. In the alveoli, carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the lungs and is subsequently exhaled. While both oxygen and carbon dioxide are essential in this process, the primary focus during the exchange in the lungs is on oxygen, as it is vital for sustaining aerobic respiration in the body.

Nitrogen and hydrogen are not the primary gases involved in the respiratory exchange in the lungs; nitrogen is largely inert and does not participate in gas exchange, while hydrogen is not a prominent component of respiratory gas exchange. Thus, oxygen is correctly identified as the key gas in the breathing process.