How do alveoli play a role in respiration?

Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs that facilitate gas exchange during respiration. They provide a large surface area for oxygen to diffuse into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood to be exhaled. The thin walls of the alveoli, composed of a single layer of cells, enable efficient transfer of gases due to their close proximity to capillaries. This process is essential for maintaining oxygen levels in the body and removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism.