Select the correct answer:
1. When blood leaves the capillary bed most of the carbon dioxide is in the form of
A. carbonate ions
B. bicarbonate ions
C. hydrogen ions
D. hydroxyl ions
Answer: B. bicarbonate ions
Explanation: About 70% of carbon dioxide is transported in the blood as bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) dissolved in the plasma.
2. When you inhale, the diaphragm
A. relaxes and moves upward
B. relaxes and moves downward
C. contracts and moves upward
D. contracts and moves downward
Answer: D. contracts and moves downward
Explanation: During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and flattens (moves downward), increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and decreasing pressure, allowing air to enter the lungs.
3. With which other system do specialised respiratory systems most closely interface in exchanging gases between the cells and the environment?
A. the skin
B. the excretory system
C. the circulatory system
D. the muscular system
Answer: C. the circulatory system
Explanation: The respiratory system works closely with the circulatory system to transport gases. Oxygen diffuses into the blood and is carried to cells, while carbon dioxide is carried from cells to the lungs for exhalation.
4. Which of the following is the respiratory surface in human respiratory system:
A. larynx
B. trachea
C. bronchi
D. alveoli
Answer: D. alveoli
Explanation: The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. Their thin walls and rich blood supply facilitate the
diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
5. How is most of the oxygen transported in the blood?
A. dissolved in plasma
B. bound to haemoglobin
C. as bicarbonate
D. dissolved in water
Answer: B. bound to haemoglobin
Explanation: About 98% of oxygen is transported in the blood bound to hemoglobin, forming oxyhemoglobin. Only a small amount dissolves in plasma.
6. The lateral walls of the chest cavity of man are composed of:
A. ribs
B. intercostal muscles
C. ribs and intercostal muscles
D. ribs, intercostal muscles and diaphragm
Answer: C. ribs and intercostal muscles
Explanation: The lateral walls of the thoracic cavity are formed by the ribs and the intercostal muscles between them. The diaphragm forms the floor of the cavity.
7. Which of the following factors is the most effective in accelerating the rate of breathing in man?
A. a lack of oxygen in the blood
B. a lack of oxygen in the tissues
C. an excess of carbon dioxide in the lungs
D. an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood
Answer: D. an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood
Explanation: The primary stimulus for breathing is the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. An increase in CO₂ (hypercapnia) triggers chemoreceptors to increase the rate and depth of breathing.
8. Which of the following changes will increase the body's rate of carbon dioxide excretion into the alveoli?
A. holding the breath
B. the breakdown of alveolar tissue as a result of disease
C. a decrease in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alveolar air
D. a decrease in the pulmonary circulation
Answer: C. a decrease in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alveolar air
Explanation: According to Fick's law of diffusion, a greater concentration gradient (lower CO₂ in alveoli) increases the rate of diffusion of CO₂ from the blood into the alveoli.
9. Breathing is an example of
A. counter current exchange
B. cellular respiration
C. ventilation
D. diffusion
Answer: C. ventilation
Explanation: Breathing (ventilation) is the mechanical process of moving air in and out of the lungs, distinct from cellular respiration, which is the metabolic process of ATP production.
10. Which sequence most accurately describes the sequence of airflow in the human respiratory system?
1. pharynx
2. bronchus
3. trachea
4. larynx
5. alveolus
6. bronchiole
A. 4, 1, 3, 2, 5, 6
B. 1, 4, 3, 2, 5, 6
C. 4, 1, 3, 2, 6, 5
D. 1, 4, 3, 2, 6, 5
Answer: C. 4, 1, 3, 2, 6, 5 (Note: The correct sequence is: Larynx (4) [source symbol unavailable] Pharynx (1) [source symbol unavailable] Trachea (3) [source symbol unavailable] Bronchus (2) [source symbol unavailable] Bronchiole (6) [source symbol unavailable] Alveolus (5). However, physiologically, the pharynx is above the larynx. The correct order should be Pharynx [source symbol unavailable] Larynx [source symbol unavailable] Trachea. Option B might be intended if we consider the path from the nose. Given the options, the correct sequence is Pharynx (1), Larynx (4), Trachea (3), Bronchus (2), Bronchiole (6), Alveolus (5). So the answer is D if we assume the sequence starts at the pharynx.) Let's re-evaluate: Air enters the pharynx, then larynx, then trachea, then bronchi, then bronchioles, then alveoli. So the correct order is 1, 4, 3, 2, 6, 5. Therefore, the answer is D.
11. Which one of the following changes takes place during inspiration?
A. Decrease in thoracic cavity
B. Relaxation in diaphragm
C. Relaxation in external intercostal muscles
D. Sternum moves towards ventral and anterior direction
Answer: D. Sternum moves towards ventral and anterior direction
Explanation: During inspiration, the external intercostal muscles contract, lifting the ribs and moving the sternum upward and
outward (ventral and anterior), increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity.
12. The volume of air that can be exhaled normally after exhalation is called
A. tidal volume
B. residual volume
C. inspiratory reserve volume
D. expiratory reserve volume
Answer: D. expiratory reserve volume
Explanation: Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) is the additional amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal tidal expiration.
13. Hemoglobin
A. combine reversibly with only oxygen
B. bound to haemoglobin
C. attach to the alveolar wall
D. all have four heme group
Answer: D. all have four heme group
Explanation: Hemoglobin is a tetrameric protein with four heme groups, each capable of binding one oxygen molecule. It also binds carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
14. The maximum volume of air contained in the lung by a full forced inhalation is called
A. Tidal volume
B. Vital capacity
C. Ventilation rate
D. Total lung capacity
Answer: D. Total lung capacity
Explanation: Total lung capacity (TLC) is the maximum amount of air the lungs can hold after a maximal inhalation. It is the sum of vital capacity and residual volume.
15. Dissociation of O₂ from oxyhaemoglobin is facilitated by:
A. decreased temperature
B. decreases H⁺
C. decreased PO₂
D. exercise
Answer: D. exercise
Explanation: During exercise, muscles consume more oxygen, lowering PO₂, and produce more CO₂ and H⁺, which lowers pH and increases temperature. All these factors (Bohr effect) facilitate the dissociation of oxygen from hemoglobin.
16. Which of these correctly orders the structures through which air passes during inhalation?
A. pharynx [source symbol unavailable] trachea [source symbol unavailable] larynx [source symbol unavailable] bronchi
B. pharynx [source symbol unavailable] larynx [source symbol unavailable] trachea [source symbol unavailable] bronchi
C. larynx [source symbol unavailable] pharynx [source symbol unavailable] bronchi [source symbol unavailable] trachea
D. larynx [source symbol unavailable] pharynx [source symbol unavailable] trachea [source symbol unavailable] bronchi
Answer: B. pharynx [source symbol unavailable] larynx [source symbol unavailable] trachea [source symbol unavailable] bronchi
17. The pharynx is also known as the:
A. windpipe
B. trachea
C. voice box
D. throat
Answer: D. throat
18. What is the correct path air takes when it enters the trachea on its way to the lungs?
A. bronchi / bronchioles / pulmonary capillaries / alveoli
B. bronchioles / bronchi / alveoli / pulmonary capillaries
C. bronchi / pulmonary capillaries / alveoli / bronchioles
D. bronchioles / bronchioles / alveoli / pulmonary capillaries
Answer: A. bronchi / bronchioles / pulmonary capillaries / alveoli (Note: The correct path is bronchi [source symbol unavailable] bronchioles [source symbol unavailable] alveoli. Option A includes pulmonary capillaries, which is not part of the airway. The best answer is bronchioles [source symbol unavailable] bronchi [source symbol unavailable] alveoli, but option B has bronchi and alveoli swapped. Option A is the closest if we ignore the capillaries.)
19. Which of the following is correct for the partial pressure of oxygen in alveoli?
A. less than carbon dioxide
B. less than the blood
C. more than the blood
D. equal to that of the blood
Answer: C. more than the blood
Explanation: The partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) in the alveoli is about 104 mmHg, while in the deoxygenated blood entering the
pulmonary capillaries it is about 40 mmHg. This gradient drives oxygen into the blood.
20. Which of the following is the respiratory surface in human respiratory system:
A. larynx
B. trachea
C. bronchi
D. alveoli
Answer: D. alveoli