Which side of the heart is responsible for oxygenating blood?

The left side of the heart is responsible for oxygenating blood because it receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it out to the rest of the body. This process begins in the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. The pulmonary veins carry the freshly oxygenated blood to the left atrium, from which it moves into the left ventricle. The left ventricle then contracts to pump this oxygenated blood through the aorta, supplying oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs throughout the entire body.

The right side of the heart, in contrast, handles deoxygenated blood. It receives blood that has delivered its oxygen to the body's tissues and is rich in carbon dioxide. This deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium, moves into the right ventricle, and is subsequently pumped to the lungs for oxygenation via the pulmonary arteries.

Understanding the roles of each side of the heart is crucial for recognizing how the circulatory system functions effectively to maintain oxygen levels in the body.