What physiological process involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide?

The physiological process that involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is respiration. This process primarily occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, where oxygen from the inhaled air passes into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, moves from the blood to be exhaled. Respiration encompasses both external respiration (the exchange of gases in the lungs) and internal respiration (the exchange of gases at the cellular level).

While ventilation refers specifically to the movement of air into and out of the lungs and is an important aspect of breathing, it does not encompass the actual gas exchange that occurs. Circulation relates to the movement of blood throughout the body, facilitating the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide but not the direct exchange of these gases. Oxidation is a biochemical process that involves the chemical reactions in cells that use oxygen to produce energy but is not directly associated with the exchange of gases. Thus, respiration is the most accurate term for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.