What is the role of the alveoli in the respiratory system?

The role of the alveoli in the respiratory system is crucial for facilitating gas exchange. Alveoli are tiny air sacs located in the lungs, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. When we inhale, air fills the alveoli, and oxygen from this air diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli into the bloodstream. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, moves from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. This process is vital for maintaining proper oxygen levels in the blood and removing carbon dioxide, which is essential for cellular respiration and overall metabolic function. Thus, the primary function of the alveoli is to serve as the site for this important gas exchange process, making them integral to respiratory physiology.