What are the small air sacs in the lungs called that are responsible for gas exchange?

The small air sacs in the lungs, known as alveoli, are crucial for the process of gas exchange. They are tiny, balloon-like structures where oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. Each alveolus is surrounded by a network of capillaries, which facilitates this exchange of gases. The large surface area provided by the numerous alveoli enables the lungs to efficiently exchange large amounts of gases with minimal effort, making them essential for respiration.

The bronchi, trachea, and bronchioles serve different functions within the respiratory system, primarily serving as conduits for air to travel to the alveoli but are not directly involved in the gas exchange process itself.