What are alveoli in the lungs responsible for?

Alveoli are tiny air sacs located in the lungs where the critical process of gas exchange occurs. They are responsible for allowing oxygen from the inhaled air to diffuse into the blood while simultaneously enabling carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism, to move from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. This exchange is vital for maintaining the body’s oxygen levels and removing carbon dioxide, thereby supporting cellular respiration and overall metabolic processes.

The other options, while related to the respiratory system, do not specifically pertain to the primary function of the alveoli. The movement of air into the trachea is more about the airway structure and mechanics of breathing. Protection from pathogens is primarily managed by the immune system and mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. Regulation of blood pH levels involves a complex interplay between carbon dioxide levels and bicarbonate in the blood, influenced by various systems rather than being a direct function of the alveoli.