1|Page
BIOL 252 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II
– MODULE 5 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
COMPREHENSIVE ACTUAL EXAM PREP 2026
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A
GRADED WITH EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND
REVISED
Question 1
Which of the following is the primary function of the respiratory
system?
A. To transport nutrients to body tissues
B. To regulate body temperature
C. To supply oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide
D. To filter waste products from the blood
Rationale: The primary function of the respiratory system is gas
exchange—supplying oxygen to the body for cellular respiration and
removing carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product. The
cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting nutrients, and
the kidneys filter waste from the blood.
Question 2
The upper respiratory tract includes which of the following structures?
A. Trachea, bronchi, and lungs
B. Bronchioles and alveoli
C. Nose, pharynx, and larynx
D. Larynx, trachea, and bronchi
,2|Page
Rationale: The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose, nasal
cavity, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. The lower respiratory tract
includes the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.
Question 3
Which of the following is a function of the nasal cavity?
A. Gas exchange
B. Sound production
C. Filtering, warming, and humidifying incoming air
D. Preventing food from entering the trachea
Rationale: The nasal cavity filters, warms, and humidifies incoming
air. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, sound production is a function
of the larynx, and the epiglottis prevents food from entering the
trachea.
Question 4
The pharynx is divided into three regions. Which of the following is the
most superior region?
A. Laryngopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Nasopharynx
D. Hypopharynx
Rationale: The pharynx is divided into three regions: the nasopharynx
(most superior, behind the nasal cavity), the oropharynx (middle,
behind the oral cavity), and the laryngopharynx (most inferior, leading
to the larynx and esophagus).
Question 5
The structure that prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing is the:
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
,3|Page
C. Cricoid cartilage
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage that covers the
opening of the larynx (glottis) during swallowing, preventing food and
liquid from entering the trachea. The thyroid and cricoid cartilages are
part of the laryngeal framework.
Question 6
The trachea is lined with which type of epithelium?
A. Simple squamous epithelium
B. Stratified squamous epithelium
C. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
D. Simple cuboidal epithelium
Rationale: The trachea is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar
epithelium, which contains goblet cells that secrete mucus and cilia
that sweep mucus and trapped particles upward toward the pharynx
(mucociliary escalator).
Question 7
The branching structures of the trachea that enter the lungs are called:
A. Alveoli
B. Bronchioles
C. Primary bronchi
D. Terminal bronchioles
Rationale: The trachea bifurcates at the carina into the right and left
primary bronchi, which enter the right and left lungs, respectively.
These then branch into secondary and tertiary bronchi, bronchioles,
and eventually alveoli.
Question 8
Which of the following is the smallest conducting airway in the
respiratory tree?
, 4|Page
A. Tertiary bronchi
B. Respiratory bronchioles
C. Terminal bronchioles
D. Alveolar ducts
Rationale: Terminal bronchioles are the smallest conducting airways
(no gas exchange). Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli
are part of the respiratory zone where gas exchange occurs.
Question 9
Gas exchange occurs in which of the following structures?
A. Terminal bronchioles
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Trachea
Rationale: Alveoli are the primary sites of gas exchange. Their thin
walls and extensive capillary network allow for efficient diffusion of
oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the blood.
Question 10
The right lung has how many lobes?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Rationale: The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, inferior)
separated by the horizontal and oblique fissures. The left lung has two
lobes (superior and inferior) separated by the oblique fissure,
accommodating the cardiac notch.
Question 11
The pleura that covers the surface of the lung is called the:
BIOL 252 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II
– MODULE 5 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
COMPREHENSIVE ACTUAL EXAM PREP 2026
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A
GRADED WITH EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND
REVISED
Question 1
Which of the following is the primary function of the respiratory
system?
A. To transport nutrients to body tissues
B. To regulate body temperature
C. To supply oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide
D. To filter waste products from the blood
Rationale: The primary function of the respiratory system is gas
exchange—supplying oxygen to the body for cellular respiration and
removing carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product. The
cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting nutrients, and
the kidneys filter waste from the blood.
Question 2
The upper respiratory tract includes which of the following structures?
A. Trachea, bronchi, and lungs
B. Bronchioles and alveoli
C. Nose, pharynx, and larynx
D. Larynx, trachea, and bronchi
,2|Page
Rationale: The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose, nasal
cavity, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. The lower respiratory tract
includes the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.
Question 3
Which of the following is a function of the nasal cavity?
A. Gas exchange
B. Sound production
C. Filtering, warming, and humidifying incoming air
D. Preventing food from entering the trachea
Rationale: The nasal cavity filters, warms, and humidifies incoming
air. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, sound production is a function
of the larynx, and the epiglottis prevents food from entering the
trachea.
Question 4
The pharynx is divided into three regions. Which of the following is the
most superior region?
A. Laryngopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Nasopharynx
D. Hypopharynx
Rationale: The pharynx is divided into three regions: the nasopharynx
(most superior, behind the nasal cavity), the oropharynx (middle,
behind the oral cavity), and the laryngopharynx (most inferior, leading
to the larynx and esophagus).
Question 5
The structure that prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing is the:
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
,3|Page
C. Cricoid cartilage
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage that covers the
opening of the larynx (glottis) during swallowing, preventing food and
liquid from entering the trachea. The thyroid and cricoid cartilages are
part of the laryngeal framework.
Question 6
The trachea is lined with which type of epithelium?
A. Simple squamous epithelium
B. Stratified squamous epithelium
C. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
D. Simple cuboidal epithelium
Rationale: The trachea is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar
epithelium, which contains goblet cells that secrete mucus and cilia
that sweep mucus and trapped particles upward toward the pharynx
(mucociliary escalator).
Question 7
The branching structures of the trachea that enter the lungs are called:
A. Alveoli
B. Bronchioles
C. Primary bronchi
D. Terminal bronchioles
Rationale: The trachea bifurcates at the carina into the right and left
primary bronchi, which enter the right and left lungs, respectively.
These then branch into secondary and tertiary bronchi, bronchioles,
and eventually alveoli.
Question 8
Which of the following is the smallest conducting airway in the
respiratory tree?
, 4|Page
A. Tertiary bronchi
B. Respiratory bronchioles
C. Terminal bronchioles
D. Alveolar ducts
Rationale: Terminal bronchioles are the smallest conducting airways
(no gas exchange). Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli
are part of the respiratory zone where gas exchange occurs.
Question 9
Gas exchange occurs in which of the following structures?
A. Terminal bronchioles
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Trachea
Rationale: Alveoli are the primary sites of gas exchange. Their thin
walls and extensive capillary network allow for efficient diffusion of
oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the blood.
Question 10
The right lung has how many lobes?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Rationale: The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, inferior)
separated by the horizontal and oblique fissures. The left lung has two
lobes (superior and inferior) separated by the oblique fissure,
accommodating the cardiac notch.
Question 11
The pleura that covers the surface of the lung is called the:
