Which phase follows the exchange of gases between blood and air in the lungs during respiration?

The phase that follows the exchange of gases between blood and air in the lungs during respiration is the exchange of gases between blood and tissue fluids. This process, known as internal respiration, involves oxygen being delivered from the blood to the cells in body tissues, where it is utilized for metabolic processes. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism, moves from the cells into the blood to be transported back to the lungs for exhalation.

Following external respiration (the initial exchange of gases in the lungs), internal respiration is crucial for maintaining cellular function. It ensures that cells receive enough oxygen for energy production and helps to remove metabolic waste efficiently. This close interrelation between the oxygen delivered to tissues and the carbon dioxide being collected back into the blood exemplifies how systemic and pulmonary circulations work together to facilitate respiration and maintain homeostasis in the body.