Final answer:
Vital capacity (VC) is the term for the total amount of air that can be exchanged at will, which is essential for analyzing respiratory health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for the total amount of air that can be exchanged at will is referred to as vital capacity (VC). Vital capacity is the maximum quantity of air a person can exhale after a maximal inhalation, which includes the expiratory reserve volume, the tidal volume, and the inspiratory reserve volume. Unlike the total lung capacity (TLC), which is the sum of all lung volumes including the residual volume, the VC does not include the air that remains in the lungs after a maximal exhalation (residual volume). When discussing pulmonary function and the human respiratory system, understanding these measurements is essential for analyzing respiratory health and capacities.