During respiration, the body takes in which gas and removes which gas?

During respiration, the body takes in oxygen from the environment and removes carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism. This process is essential for life; oxygen is crucial for the production of energy within cells through a process known as cellular respiration, where glucose and oxygen are converted into energy (ATP), water, and carbon dioxide.

While the inhalation of nitrogen and the exhalation of other gases might occur to a lesser extent, they are not central to the respiratory process. The primary focus during respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Therefore, recognizing that oxygen is vital for energy production and that carbon dioxide must be expelled to maintain homeostasis is fundamental to understanding respiratory physiology.