How do the respiratory and circulatory systems work together to facilitate gas exchange in the human body?

• A. The respiratory system removes carbon dioxide from tissues directly, while the circulatory system only transports nutrients.
• B. Both systems independently supply oxygen to tissues without interacting with each other.
• C. The circulatory system produces oxygen, which is then delivered to the lungs by the respiratory system for distribution throughout the body.
• D. The respiratory system brings oxygen into the lungs, where it diffuses into the blood, and the circulatory system transports this oxygen to tissues while carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of the respiratory system: The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body through inhalation and removing carbon dioxide through exhalation. Oxygen enters the lungs and diffuses into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide diffuses out of the bloodstream into the lungs.
2. Understand the role of the circulatory system: The circulatory system transports oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. It also carries carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, from the tissues back to the lungs for removal.
3. Learn how gas exchange occurs: Gas exchange happens in the alveoli of the lungs, where oxygen diffuses from the air into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air. This process is driven by differences in partial pressures of gases.
4. Recognize the interaction between the systems: The respiratory and circulatory systems work together seamlessly. The respiratory system provides oxygen to the blood, and the circulatory system delivers this oxygen to tissues while returning carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation.
5. Apply the concept to the correct answer: The respiratory system brings oxygen into the lungs, where it diffuses into the blood. The circulatory system then transports this oxygen to tissues while carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation, demonstrating the cooperative function of both systems.