Which part of the respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange?

The alveoli are the tiny air sacs located at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs and play a critical role in gas exchange. They are surrounded by a network of capillaries that facilitate the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air in the alveoli and the blood in the capillaries. The thin walls of the alveoli enable efficient diffusion of gases; oxygen from the inhaled air passes into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of metabolism, moves from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. This process is essential for maintaining the body's oxygen levels and removing carbon dioxide, thus highlighting the alveoli's vital function in the respiratory system.