Final answer:
The lungs are vital to the body's excretory system, primarily expelling carbon dioxide—a product of cellular respiration. They contribute to maintaining pH balance and prevent acidosis by removing this gaseous waste from the bloodstream.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Excretory Function of the Lungs
The lungs perform a crucial role in the body's excretory system by eliminating gaseous wastes. The principal waste gas they expel is carbon dioxide, which is a byproduct of cellular respiration. When we inhale, oxygen enters the lungs and is transported to cells throughout the body for use in cellular processes. As a result of these metabolic reactions, carbon dioxide is produced and must be removed. It is carried back to the lungs via the bloodstream and then exhaled along with water vapor. This process helps maintain the body's pH balance and prevents the harmful buildup of carbon dioxide, which could lead to acidosis.
The lungs perform the job of eliminating gaseous wastes from the body, primarily carbon dioxide, through exhalation. When we breathe in oxygen, our cells use it for cellular respiration, producing carbon dioxide as a waste product. The carbon dioxide is then transported to the lungs through the bloodstream, where it is expelled from the body when we exhale.