Final answer:
The cardiopulmonary system's primary function is to deliver oxygen to the cells of the body for cellular respiration and to remove carbon dioxide, a waste product. It involves both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems working together to facilitate gas exchange and maintain homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cardiopulmonary system, which includes the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, plays a critical role in maintaining bodily function. The cardiovascular system, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and wastes throughout the body. Oxygen is critical for cellular respiration, a process that occurs in the cells to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
This system also removes carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, routing it back to the lungs for exhalation. The respiratory system's major organs, such as the lungs, facilitate the exchange of gases—oxygen and carbon dioxide—between the blood and the air. The gas exchange is crucial as it supplies the cells with oxygen necessary for cellular processes and removes carbon dioxide to prevent toxicity.