D. Answer the questions. 1. How do body cells get food and oxygen? 2. Why is it important for wastes to be carried away from cells?

**1. How Do Body Cells Get Food and Oxygen?** Body cells receive food and oxygen through the circulatory system. Here's how the process works: - **Digestive System:** When you consume food, the digestive system breaks it down into essential nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. - **Absorption into the Bloodstream:** These nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the intestines. - **Oxygen Intake:** Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs, where it passes through the alveoli (tiny air sacs) and binds to hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. - **Transportation by the Heart and Blood Vessels:** The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood and nutrient-laden blood throughout the body via arteries, delivering these vital substances to all body cells. - **Cellular Uptake:** Once the blood reaches the body’s cells, oxygen and nutrients diffuse from the blood into the cells, where they are used for energy production and various metabolic processes. **2. Why Is It Important for Wastes to Be Carried Away from Cells?** Removing waste products from cells is crucial for several reasons: - **Prevents Toxic Buildup:** Metabolic processes within cells produce waste products like carbon dioxide, urea, and lactic acid. If these wastes accumulate, they can become toxic and disrupt normal cellular functions. - **Maintains Cellular Health:** Efficient removal of wastes ensures that cells operate in an optimal environment, maintaining pH balance and preventing harmful conditions that could lead to cell damage or death. - **Supports Homeostasis:** The body's internal balance (homeostasis) relies on the continuous elimination of metabolic wastes. This balance is essential for overall health and proper functioning of organs and tissues. - **Prevents Disease:** Accumulation of wastes can lead to various health issues, including kidney stones, gout, and respiratory problems due to excess carbon dioxide. - **Facilitates Detoxification:** Organs like the kidneys and liver filter out and process waste products, preparing them for excretion from the body, thereby detoxifying the body and maintaining overall well-being. In summary, the efficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen to cells, combined with the effective removal of waste products, is fundamental to maintaining healthy cell function and overall bodily health.