What is the function of pulmonary circulation?

The function of pulmonary circulation is primarily to carry blood to the lungs and return it to the heart. This system is vital for the exchange of gases, allowing deoxygenated blood from the body to flow to the lungs where it is enriched with oxygen and then sent back to the heart. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood, and oxygen is absorbed, which is essential for the body’s respiration process.

The other options describe functions associated with different systems of blood circulation. While distributing nutrients to the body is a function of systemic circulation, supplying oxygen to the tissues occurs after blood has passed through the pulmonary circulation. Filtering waste from the blood is primarily a function of the kidneys, not a direct role of pulmonary circulation. Therefore, the correct response accurately captures the unique and specific pathway and role of pulmonary circulation.