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Correct Answer: peripheral capillaries.
the correct answer to the question regarding which part of the cardiovascular system is associated with oxygen leaving the blood and carbon dioxide entering the blood is "peripheral capillaries."
to understand why peripheral capillaries are the correct answer, it's important to grasp the role of capillaries in the body's circulatory system. capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body and are key to the process of gas exchange. they serve as the connection points between the arteries and veins, and their thin walls allow for substances such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products to easily pass through.
in the systemic circulation, which involves most of the body except for the lungs, peripheral capillaries play a crucial role. as oxygen-rich blood travels from the heart through arteries and reaches the capillaries, these capillaries facilitate the transfer of oxygen from the blood to the tissues. this process is vital for cellular metabolism, as cells require oxygen to produce energy.
simultaneously, the metabolic process in cells produces carbon dioxide as a waste product, which must be removed to prevent toxicity. peripheral capillaries collect this carbon dioxide from the tissues, allowing it to enter the bloodstream. the blood then carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs, where it is expelled from the body during exhalation.
thus, in the context of the question, peripheral capillaries are directly involved in the process where oxygen is delivered to and utilized by tissue cells, and carbon dioxide, produced as a byproduct of cellular respiration, is absorbed into the blood for removal. this exchange is critical for maintaining the body’s homeostasis and overall health.
it is important to differentiate peripheral capillaries from pulmonary capillaries, which are located in the lungs and involved in gas exchange between the lung air spaces and the blood. while pulmonary capillaries deal with the gas exchange involving the external environment (air), peripheral capillaries handle the gas exchange at the cellular level within tissues throughout the body.
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