What is the process of adding oxygen to the body system called?

• A. Oxygenation
• B. Ventilation
• C. Perfusion
• D. Respiration

Answer: (A)

Oxygenation is the process of adding oxygen to the body system. It refers to moving oxygen from the air in the lungs into the blood and then delivering it to tissues, primarily by diffusion into pulmonary capillaries and binding to hemoglobin. This step is what makes oxygen available for cellular use.

Ventilation is just the movement of air in and out of the lungs, providing the air that can be exchanged. Perfusion is the blood flow through the lung’s alveoli that allows that gas exchange to occur. Respiration can refer to cellular energy production that uses oxygen, but the act of adding oxygen to the body’s system specifically is oxygenation.