Which of the following is a key function of the respiratory system?

The respiratory system's most critical function is gas exchange, where oxygen is taken into the body and carbon dioxide is expelled. This process primarily occurs in the alveoli, tiny air sacs in the lungs, where oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. While the transport of oxygen, which involves the circulatory system delivering oxygen from the lungs to body tissues, is also important, it is not performed by the respiratory system itself.

The absorption of nutrients is a function of the digestive system, focusing on breaking down food and absorbing its components. Structural support has various roles in anatomy but isn't a primary function of the respiratory system. Thus, gas exchange is fundamental because it directly involves the respiratory organs and is essential for maintaining the body's oxygen levels and overall metabolic function.