Final answer:
The process of exchanging O2 and CO2 between the alveoli and the blood in the pulmonary capillaries is called external respiration, a critical part of gas exchange necessary for supplying oxygen to cells and removing carbon dioxide waste to maintain homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of exchanging O2 and CO2 between the alveoli and the blood in the pulmonary capillaries is known as external respiration. This process involves gas exchange that occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, where oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood across the capillaries, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli.
It is important to differentiate external respiration from other respiratory processes. Ventilation is the physical movement of air in and out of the lungs, perfusion refers to the flow of blood in the capillaries, and oxygenation is the process of adding oxygen to the body. External respiration is specifically the exchange of gases across the respiratory membrane, which is crucial for supplying cells with oxygen and removing carbon dioxide waste, thus maintaining homeostasis.