What function do the alveoli perform?(1 point)
Responses
exchange oxygen in the blood for carbon dioxide in the air
exchange oxygen in the blood for carbon dioxide in the air
exchange oxygen in the air for carbon dioxide in the blood
exchange oxygen in the air for carbon dioxide in the blood
carry oxygenated blood away from the heart
carry oxygenated blood away from the heart
hold receptors for the sense of smell
exchange oxygen in the air for carbon dioxide in the blood
The function of the alveoli is to exchange oxygen in the air for carbon dioxide in the blood.
The correct answer is: exchange oxygen in the air for carbon dioxide in the blood.
To arrive at this answer, we can eliminate the other options by understanding the function of the alveoli.
Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where the process of gas exchange takes place. Oxygen from the air diffuses through the thin walls of the alveoli and enters the bloodstream. At the same time, carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of metabolism, diffuses out of the bloodstream and into the alveoli to be exhaled.
So, the alveoli primarily function to exchange oxygen in the air for carbon dioxide in the blood.