BIOS 255 Week 5: The Respiratory System Exam 2026 Chamberlain
1. Which of the following structures is part of the upper respiratory system?
A. Trachea
B. Pharynx
C. Bronchi
D. Alveoli
Answer: B
Rationale: The upper respiratory system includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx. The
lower respiratory system begins at the larynx and includes the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
2. What is the primary function of the nasal conchae?
A. To produce sound
B. To increase surface area and create turbulence in inhaled air
C. To act as a site for gas exchange
D. To prevent food from entering the trachea
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal conchae (superior, middle, and inferior) increase surface area and
create turbulence to warm, moisten, and filter the air as it passes through the nasal cavity.
3. The pharynx is divided into three regions. Which region is located directly
behind the oral cavity?
A. Nasopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Laryngopharynx
D. Hypopharynx
Answer: B
,Rationale: The oropharynx is the middle portion of the pharynx, located posterior to the
oral cavity, and serves as a common passageway for both food and air.
4. Which cartilage forms the ‘Adam’s apple’ in the larynx?
A. Cricoid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
C. Thyroid cartilage
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: C
Rationale: The thyroid cartilage is the largest cartilage of the larynx and its anterior
projection is commonly known as the Adam’s apple.
5. What structure prevents food and liquids from entering the lower respiratory
tract during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Glottis
D. Cricoid cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped piece of elastic cartilage that folds down to cover
the glottis during swallowing, directing food into the esophagus.
6. The trachea is lined with which type of epithelium?
A. Simple squamous epithelium
B. Stratified squamous epithelium
C. Simple cuboidal epithelium
D. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Answer: D
Rationale: The trachea is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, which
contains goblet cells to produce mucus and cilia to sweep debris away from the lungs.
, 7. How many lobes are typically found in the right lung compared to the left
lung?
A. Right: 2; Left: 3
B. Right: 3; Left: 3
C. Right: 3; Left: 2
D. Right: 2; Left: 2
Answer: C
Rationale: The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, and inferior), while the left
lung has only two (superior and inferior) to accommodate the heart’s position.
8. What is the specific site of gas exchange within the lungs?
A. Terminal bronchioles
B. Alveoli
C. Trachea
D. Tertiary bronchi
Answer: B
Rationale: Alveoli are microscopic air sacs where the actual exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide occurs between the air and the blood in the surrounding capillaries.
9. Which cell type in the alveoli is responsible for secreting surfactant?
A. Type I alveolar cells
B. Alveolar macrophages
C. Type II alveolar cells
D. Endothelial cells
Answer: C
Rationale: Type II alveolar cells (septal cells) secrete pulmonary surfactant, which reduces
surface tension and prevents the alveoli from collapsing.
1. Which of the following structures is part of the upper respiratory system?
A. Trachea
B. Pharynx
C. Bronchi
D. Alveoli
Answer: B
Rationale: The upper respiratory system includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx. The
lower respiratory system begins at the larynx and includes the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
2. What is the primary function of the nasal conchae?
A. To produce sound
B. To increase surface area and create turbulence in inhaled air
C. To act as a site for gas exchange
D. To prevent food from entering the trachea
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal conchae (superior, middle, and inferior) increase surface area and
create turbulence to warm, moisten, and filter the air as it passes through the nasal cavity.
3. The pharynx is divided into three regions. Which region is located directly
behind the oral cavity?
A. Nasopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Laryngopharynx
D. Hypopharynx
Answer: B
,Rationale: The oropharynx is the middle portion of the pharynx, located posterior to the
oral cavity, and serves as a common passageway for both food and air.
4. Which cartilage forms the ‘Adam’s apple’ in the larynx?
A. Cricoid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
C. Thyroid cartilage
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: C
Rationale: The thyroid cartilage is the largest cartilage of the larynx and its anterior
projection is commonly known as the Adam’s apple.
5. What structure prevents food and liquids from entering the lower respiratory
tract during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Glottis
D. Cricoid cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped piece of elastic cartilage that folds down to cover
the glottis during swallowing, directing food into the esophagus.
6. The trachea is lined with which type of epithelium?
A. Simple squamous epithelium
B. Stratified squamous epithelium
C. Simple cuboidal epithelium
D. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Answer: D
Rationale: The trachea is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, which
contains goblet cells to produce mucus and cilia to sweep debris away from the lungs.
, 7. How many lobes are typically found in the right lung compared to the left
lung?
A. Right: 2; Left: 3
B. Right: 3; Left: 3
C. Right: 3; Left: 2
D. Right: 2; Left: 2
Answer: C
Rationale: The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, and inferior), while the left
lung has only two (superior and inferior) to accommodate the heart’s position.
8. What is the specific site of gas exchange within the lungs?
A. Terminal bronchioles
B. Alveoli
C. Trachea
D. Tertiary bronchi
Answer: B
Rationale: Alveoli are microscopic air sacs where the actual exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide occurs between the air and the blood in the surrounding capillaries.
9. Which cell type in the alveoli is responsible for secreting surfactant?
A. Type I alveolar cells
B. Alveolar macrophages
C. Type II alveolar cells
D. Endothelial cells
Answer: C
Rationale: Type II alveolar cells (septal cells) secrete pulmonary surfactant, which reduces
surface tension and prevents the alveoli from collapsing.
