BIOD 152: Module 6 Portage Learning Questions and Answers
2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 6 Respiratory Anatomy & Ventilation Test
Bank
1. Which of the following is considered part of the "Upper Respiratory System"?
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Pharynx
D. Alveoli
Answer: C
Rationale: The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx. The
larynx marks the transition to the lower respiratory tract.
2. What is the primary function of the "Nasal Conchae"?
A. To produce sound
B. To increase surface area for warming, filtering, and moistening air
C. To prevent food from entering the lungs
D. To exchange gases with the blood
Answer: B
Rationale: The three bony projections (superior, middle, inferior) create turbulence,
ensuring air stays in the cavity long enough to be conditioned.
3. Which structure is commonly known as the "Voice Box"?
A. Pharynx
B. Trachea
C. Larynx
D. Epiglottis
Answer: C
Rationale: The larynx contains the vocal folds (true vocal cords) which vibrate to
produce sound.
4. The "Epiglottis" functions to:
A. Vibrate for speech
B. Filter dust from the air
C. Close off the larynx during swallowing to prevent aspiration
D. Produce surfactant
Answer: C
,Rationale: This leaf-shaped piece of elastic cartilage acts as a lid, directing food into the
esophagus and away from the trachea.
5. Which type of epithelium lines most of the respiratory tract to move mucus?
A. Simple squamous
B. Stratified squamous
C. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar
D. Simple cuboidal
Answer: C
Rationale: The cilia act as an "escalator" to sweep trapped debris and mucus upward
toward the pharynx to be swallowed.
6. The "Trachea" is kept open by C-shaped rings made of:
A. Elastic cartilage
B. Fibrocartilage
C. Hyaline cartilage
D. Bone
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyaline cartilage provides the necessary rigidity to prevent the airway from
collapsing during pressure changes.
7. Why are the tracheal cartilages C-shaped rather than complete circles?
A. To allow for easier vocalization
B. To allow the esophagus to expand anteriorly during swallowing
C. To save energy during development
D. To facilitate neck movement
Answer: B
Rationale: The open posterior portion of the C-ring faces the esophagus, allowing it to
bulge forward when a bolus of food passes through.
8. The point where the trachea bifurcates (splits) into the right and left primary
bronchi is called the:
A. Glottis
B. Carina
C. Hilum
D. Alveolus
Answer: B
Rationale: The carina is a highly sensitive ridge of cartilage; touching it triggers a
powerful cough reflex.
, 9. Which primary bronchus is shorter, wider, and more vertical, making it a
common site for aspirated objects?
A. Right primary bronchus
B. Left primary bronchus
C. Both are identical
D. Neither; objects usually lodge in the larynx
Answer: A
Rationale: Due to the heart's position on the left, the right bronchus has a more direct,
vertical path from the trachea.
10. The "Respiratory Zone" (where gas exchange actually occurs) begins at the:
A. Terminal bronchioles
B. Respiratory bronchioles
C. Trachea
D. Primary bronchi
Answer: B
Rationale: The conducting zone ends at the terminal bronchioles. The respiratory
bronchioles are the first structures to have alveoli attached.
11. Which cells produce "Surfactant" in the alveoli?
A. Type I Alveolar cells
B. Type II Alveolar cells
C. Alveolar macrophages
D. Goblet cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Type II cells (septal cells) secrete surfactant, a phospholipid film that reduces
surface tension to prevent alveolar collapse.
12. The "Respiratory Membrane" consists of:
A. The trachea and esophagus
B. The alveolar wall, capillary wall, and their fused basement membranes
C. The pleural membranes
D. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles
Answer: B
Rationale: This ultra-thin barrier (0.5 micrometers) allows for rapid diffusion of O2 and
CO2.
13. The left lung has ____ lobes, while the right lung has ____ lobes.
A. 3; 2
B. 2; 3
2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 6 Respiratory Anatomy & Ventilation Test
Bank
1. Which of the following is considered part of the "Upper Respiratory System"?
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Pharynx
D. Alveoli
Answer: C
Rationale: The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx. The
larynx marks the transition to the lower respiratory tract.
2. What is the primary function of the "Nasal Conchae"?
A. To produce sound
B. To increase surface area for warming, filtering, and moistening air
C. To prevent food from entering the lungs
D. To exchange gases with the blood
Answer: B
Rationale: The three bony projections (superior, middle, inferior) create turbulence,
ensuring air stays in the cavity long enough to be conditioned.
3. Which structure is commonly known as the "Voice Box"?
A. Pharynx
B. Trachea
C. Larynx
D. Epiglottis
Answer: C
Rationale: The larynx contains the vocal folds (true vocal cords) which vibrate to
produce sound.
4. The "Epiglottis" functions to:
A. Vibrate for speech
B. Filter dust from the air
C. Close off the larynx during swallowing to prevent aspiration
D. Produce surfactant
Answer: C
,Rationale: This leaf-shaped piece of elastic cartilage acts as a lid, directing food into the
esophagus and away from the trachea.
5. Which type of epithelium lines most of the respiratory tract to move mucus?
A. Simple squamous
B. Stratified squamous
C. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar
D. Simple cuboidal
Answer: C
Rationale: The cilia act as an "escalator" to sweep trapped debris and mucus upward
toward the pharynx to be swallowed.
6. The "Trachea" is kept open by C-shaped rings made of:
A. Elastic cartilage
B. Fibrocartilage
C. Hyaline cartilage
D. Bone
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyaline cartilage provides the necessary rigidity to prevent the airway from
collapsing during pressure changes.
7. Why are the tracheal cartilages C-shaped rather than complete circles?
A. To allow for easier vocalization
B. To allow the esophagus to expand anteriorly during swallowing
C. To save energy during development
D. To facilitate neck movement
Answer: B
Rationale: The open posterior portion of the C-ring faces the esophagus, allowing it to
bulge forward when a bolus of food passes through.
8. The point where the trachea bifurcates (splits) into the right and left primary
bronchi is called the:
A. Glottis
B. Carina
C. Hilum
D. Alveolus
Answer: B
Rationale: The carina is a highly sensitive ridge of cartilage; touching it triggers a
powerful cough reflex.
, 9. Which primary bronchus is shorter, wider, and more vertical, making it a
common site for aspirated objects?
A. Right primary bronchus
B. Left primary bronchus
C. Both are identical
D. Neither; objects usually lodge in the larynx
Answer: A
Rationale: Due to the heart's position on the left, the right bronchus has a more direct,
vertical path from the trachea.
10. The "Respiratory Zone" (where gas exchange actually occurs) begins at the:
A. Terminal bronchioles
B. Respiratory bronchioles
C. Trachea
D. Primary bronchi
Answer: B
Rationale: The conducting zone ends at the terminal bronchioles. The respiratory
bronchioles are the first structures to have alveoli attached.
11. Which cells produce "Surfactant" in the alveoli?
A. Type I Alveolar cells
B. Type II Alveolar cells
C. Alveolar macrophages
D. Goblet cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Type II cells (septal cells) secrete surfactant, a phospholipid film that reduces
surface tension to prevent alveolar collapse.
12. The "Respiratory Membrane" consists of:
A. The trachea and esophagus
B. The alveolar wall, capillary wall, and their fused basement membranes
C. The pleural membranes
D. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles
Answer: B
Rationale: This ultra-thin barrier (0.5 micrometers) allows for rapid diffusion of O2 and
CO2.
13. The left lung has ____ lobes, while the right lung has ____ lobes.
A. 3; 2
B. 2; 3
