What role do alveoli play in the respiratory system?

Alveoli play a crucial role in the respiratory system by facilitating the exchange of gases. These small, balloon-like structures are located at the end of the bronchial tubes and are essential for efficient respiration. The alveoli are surrounded by a dense network of capillaries, allowing for oxygen from the air to diffuse into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. This gas exchange process is vital for maintaining the body's oxygen levels and removing carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of metabolism.

The design of the alveoli, with their large surface area and thin walls, maximizes the efficiency of gas exchange, making them a central component of the respiratory system. Thus, their primary function is to enable the essential process of oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal.