BIOS 255 EDAPT Week 3: Respiratory System Study Guide 2026
Chamberlain College
1. Which of the following structures is considered part of the upper respiratory
tract?
A. Pharynx
B. Larynx
C. Trachea
D. Bronchi
Answer: A
Rationale: The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx. The
larynx is often considered the dividing point or the start of the lower tract.
2. What is the primary function of the nasal conchae?
A. To house the olfactory receptors
B. To increase surface area for warming and humidifying air
C. To provide a rigid structure for the nose
D. To act as a resonance chamber for speech
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal conchae create turbulence and increase surface area, allowing more
air to contact the mucous membrane for warming, cleaning, and humidification.
,3. Which cartilage forms the ‘Adam’s apple’?
A. Cricoid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
C. Thyroid cartilage
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: C
Rationale: The thyroid cartilage is the largest laryngeal cartilage and features a midline
prominence known as the laryngeal prominence or Adam’s apple.
4. What prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing?
A. The glottis
B. The epiglottis
C. The soft palate
D. The uvula
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage that folds down to cover the glottis
during swallowing, directing food into the esophagus.
5. The C-shaped rings of the trachea are composed of which type of tissue?
A. Fibrocartilage
B. Elastic cartilage
C. Dense regular connective tissue
D. Hyaline cartilage
Answer: D
Rationale: The trachea is supported by 16-20 C-shaped rings made of hyaline cartilage
that prevent the airway from collapsing.
, 6. Which type of alveolar cell is responsible for gas exchange?
A. Goblet cells
B. Type II alveolar cells
C. Alveolar macrophages
D. Type I alveolar cells
Answer: D
Rationale: Type I alveolar cells are thin squamous epithelial cells that form the majority of
the alveolar wall and facilitate rapid gas diffusion.
7. What is the function of surfactant produced by Type II alveolar cells?
A. To trap dust and pathogens
B. To increase the partial pressure of oxygen
C. To reduce surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse
D. To catalyze the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate
Answer: C
Rationale: Surfactant reduces the surface tension of the fluid lining the alveoli, allowing
them to expand easily and preventing them from collapsing during exhalation.
8. How many lobes does the right lung typically have?
A. One
B. Three
C. Two
D. Four
Answer: B
Rationale: The right lung is larger and divided into three lobes (superior, middle, and
inferior) by the horizontal and oblique fissures.
Chamberlain College
1. Which of the following structures is considered part of the upper respiratory
tract?
A. Pharynx
B. Larynx
C. Trachea
D. Bronchi
Answer: A
Rationale: The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx. The
larynx is often considered the dividing point or the start of the lower tract.
2. What is the primary function of the nasal conchae?
A. To house the olfactory receptors
B. To increase surface area for warming and humidifying air
C. To provide a rigid structure for the nose
D. To act as a resonance chamber for speech
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal conchae create turbulence and increase surface area, allowing more
air to contact the mucous membrane for warming, cleaning, and humidification.
,3. Which cartilage forms the ‘Adam’s apple’?
A. Cricoid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
C. Thyroid cartilage
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: C
Rationale: The thyroid cartilage is the largest laryngeal cartilage and features a midline
prominence known as the laryngeal prominence or Adam’s apple.
4. What prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing?
A. The glottis
B. The epiglottis
C. The soft palate
D. The uvula
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage that folds down to cover the glottis
during swallowing, directing food into the esophagus.
5. The C-shaped rings of the trachea are composed of which type of tissue?
A. Fibrocartilage
B. Elastic cartilage
C. Dense regular connective tissue
D. Hyaline cartilage
Answer: D
Rationale: The trachea is supported by 16-20 C-shaped rings made of hyaline cartilage
that prevent the airway from collapsing.
, 6. Which type of alveolar cell is responsible for gas exchange?
A. Goblet cells
B. Type II alveolar cells
C. Alveolar macrophages
D. Type I alveolar cells
Answer: D
Rationale: Type I alveolar cells are thin squamous epithelial cells that form the majority of
the alveolar wall and facilitate rapid gas diffusion.
7. What is the function of surfactant produced by Type II alveolar cells?
A. To trap dust and pathogens
B. To increase the partial pressure of oxygen
C. To reduce surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse
D. To catalyze the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate
Answer: C
Rationale: Surfactant reduces the surface tension of the fluid lining the alveoli, allowing
them to expand easily and preventing them from collapsing during exhalation.
8. How many lobes does the right lung typically have?
A. One
B. Three
C. Two
D. Four
Answer: B
Rationale: The right lung is larger and divided into three lobes (superior, middle, and
inferior) by the horizontal and oblique fissures.
