What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?

The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. This system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, working together to ensure that the body's cells receive the essential substances they need for metabolism and function.

Oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues, while carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes are removed and transported to organs such as the lungs and kidneys for excretion. This continuous circulation is critical for maintaining homeostasis, supporting the immune system, and regulating other bodily functions.

The other options describe important physiological processes, but they are not the primary role of the cardiovascular system. For instance, regulating body temperature and facilitating gas exchange in the lungs are vital functions, but they are secondary to the overarching need for the cardiovascular system to ensure that all body tissues receive adequate oxygen and nutrients. Similarly, while red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, the act of producing them is the responsibility of the hematopoietic system rather than the main function of the cardiovascular system itself.