Pulmonary Gas Exchange

Pulmonary gas exchange is the process in which oxygen from the air we breathe enters the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, is removed from the blood and exhaled. This occurs in the lungs, specifically in tiny air sacs called alveoli. When we inhale, oxygen travels into the alveoli, where it passes through thin walls into capillaries (small blood vessels) and binds to red blood cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide from the blood moves into the alveoli to be exhaled. This exchange is vital for maintaining the body’s oxygen levels and overall health.