The role of the respiratory system in gas exchange is to facilitate the transfer of oxygen into the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide from it. When we inhale, air containing oxygen enters the lungs, where it diffuses into the bloodstream through the alveoli, tiny air sacs. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, which is a waste product produced by cells, moves from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. This gas exchange is vital for maintaining the body’s metabolic processes and overall health.