The primary function of the respiratory system is to facilitate the exchange of gases—specifically, oxygen and carbon dioxide—between the body and the environment. This system includes organs such as the lungs, trachea, bronchi, and diaphragm, working together to ensure that oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is expelled. Oxygen enters the bloodstream from the alveoli in the lungs, where it is then transported to cells throughout the body for cellular respiration. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, is transported back to the lungs to be exhaled, maintaining vital gas balance.