Final answer:
The system responsible for gas exchange is the respiratory system, which takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. This system includes the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, bronchi, and alveoli, with protective mechanisms to prevent particulates from causing harm.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to which system is responsible for gas exchange is the respiratory system. This system's primary purpose is to facilitate the intake of oxygen and the release of waste gases such as carbon dioxide. Let's take a detailed look into how this works.
Beginning in the nasal cavity, air is warmed and humidified before passing down the pharynx and larynx, through the trachea, and entering the lungs. Within the lungs, air flows through the branched bronchi and reaches the respiratory bronchioles, which are the first site of gas exchange. The air continues to the alveoli via alveolar ducts and alveolar sacs. The alveoli provide a large surface area for efficient gas exchange, which is essential for the respiratory system's main function.
Several protective measures, such as hair and mucus in the nasal cavity, help prevent damage or infection by trapping particulates. Once trapped, these particles are transported out of the respiratory tract via cilia. All these components and mechanisms highlight the sophisticated nature of the respiratory system's structure and function.