Which gas is primarily removed from the body by the respiratory system?

The gas primarily removed from the body by the respiratory system is carbon dioxide. During cellular respiration, cells use oxygen to produce energy, resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide as a waste product. This carbon dioxide diffuses from the cells into the bloodstream, where it is transported to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is expelled from the body during exhalation, allowing for the exchange of gases to maintain acid-base balance and homeostasis in the body.

Oxygen, while essential for sustaining life and a critical component of respiration, is not removed; instead, it is inhaled to support cellular respiration. Nitrogen is a major component of the air we breathe but does not participate in significant metabolic processes within the body and is generally inert in fat metabolism. Hydrogen, though it plays a role in various biochemical reactions, is not a gas that is typically removed via respiration. Understanding these roles highlights the importance of carbon dioxide removal for proper physiological function.