Respiratory gases are the gases involved in the process of respiration, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide. Oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism, as it helps convert food into energy. It is inhaled from the atmosphere into the lungs, where it enters the bloodstream. Carbon dioxide is a waste product produced by cells during metabolism. After delivering oxygen to the body's tissues, the blood carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs, where it is exhaled. This exchange of gases is crucial for maintaining the body's pH balance and overall health.