Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

Which process describes the exchange of gases between the alveoli and bloodstream?

1. External respiration

2. Internal respiration

3. Cellular respiration

4. Ventilation

The correct answer is: External respiration

The process that describes the exchange of gases between the alveoli and the bloodstream is known as external respiration. This occurs within the lungs, where oxygen from the air in the alveoli diffuses into the blood in the pulmonary capillaries, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. External respiration is critical for maintaining adequate oxygen levels in the blood and removing carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of cellular metabolism. In contrast, internal respiration refers to the exchange of gases at the cellular level between the blood and the body’s tissues. Cellular respiration is the metabolic process in which cells utilize oxygen to produce energy and generates carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Ventilation, on the other hand, involves the physical movement of air in and out of the lungs but does not specifically refer to the gas exchange process. Understanding these definitions is essential for comprehending how respiration works in the human body.