What occurs during capillary-cellular exchange?

During capillary-cellular exchange, the primary process that takes place involves the transfer of gases and nutrients between the blood in capillaries and the body’s cells. The correct answer indicates that body cells release carbon dioxide—a waste product of cellular metabolism—into the capillary blood. At the same time, oxygen, which is vital for cellular respiration, is delivered from the capillaries to the body cells.

This exchange is crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of the body. The capillaries, which are the smallest blood vessels, allow for the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide due to their thin walls. In healthy tissue, oxygen leaves the blood and enters the cells, where it is utilized for energy production. Carbon dioxide, produced as a byproduct of this process, enters the bloodstream to be transported back to the lungs for exhalation.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately describe the capillary-cellular exchange process. For example, the transfer of oxygen-poor blood to the alveoli does not occur in this exchange, as that process takes place during the respiratory phase instead. The delivery of nourishment from capillaries to body cells is indeed happening, but it is not the core of the gaseous exchange process being asked about