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Which is a primary purpose of ventilation?
Regulate blood pH levels
Facilitate gas exchange in alveoli
Supply oxygen to the body
Remove carbon dioxide from the blood
The correct answer is: Supply oxygen to the body
The primary purpose of ventilation is to supply oxygen to the body. This process is essential for ensuring that oxygen enters the lungs, where it can then diffuse into the bloodstream. Ventilation involves the physical act of breathing, which includes inhalation and exhalation. During inhalation, air containing oxygen is drawn into the lungs, and during exhalation, carbon dioxide is expelled from the body. The oxygen that enters the alveoli (the small air sacs in the lungs) is crucial for cellular respiration, a process that cells use to generate energy. While other aspects like regulating blood pH levels, facilitating gas exchange in alveoli, and removing carbon dioxide are also important functions, they are part of the broader context of respiration and may not capture the primary goal of ventilation, which is specifically to ensure that oxygen is brought into the body for metabolic use. The relationship between oxygen supply and overall bodily function underscores the importance of ventilation, making it vital for sustaining life and energy production within cells.