(2025-2026 latest update) USAF UCT
Physiology Test Review Questions
(correctly answered to pass)
What is the approximate percentage of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases at
18,000 feet MSL? - correct answer ✔✔21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen,
and 1 percent other gasses. (JP101, P.3)
What is the best description of atmospheric pressure and its cause? - correct
answer ✔✔The combined weight of all the atmospheric gases which is caused by
gravity pulling the gas molecules earthward and thermal and solar radiation
expanding the gasses outward toward space. (JP101, P.3)
What are the common units to measure atmospheric pressure? - correct answer
✔✔inHg, mmHg, psi (JP101, P.3)
What represents the notation for the partial pressure of gasses? - correct answer
✔✔PO2-partial pressure of oxygen, PCO2-partial pressure of carbon dioxide, PN2-
partial pressure of nitrogen. (JP101, P.6)
True or false; PO2 increases and the percentage of oxygen decreases as altitude
increases. - correct answer ✔✔False (JP101, P.3)
What is the temperature lapse rate up to approximately 35,000 feet? - correct
answer ✔✔About 2 degrees Celsius per 1,000 feet of elevation change (JP101,
P.4)
,The human body is adapted to which physiological division of the atmosphere? -
correct answer ✔✔Physiological zone (JP101, P.5)
Boyle's Law - correct answer ✔✔Explains why a balloon expands as it ascends and
also why a volume of air expands when trapped in a body cavity when the
pressure is reduced around it. (JP101, P.6)
Henry's Law - correct answer ✔✔Explains why a soda pop bubbles after it is
opened. (JP101, P.6)
Dalton's Law - correct answer ✔✔Explains how exposure to a high altitude can
reduce the available oxygen. (JP101, P.6)
Charles' Law - correct answer ✔✔Explains why the temperature increases in a
cylinder that is being pressurized. (JP101, NP)
Law of Gaseous Diffusion - correct answer ✔✔Explains how oxygen moves out of
the lungs into the bloodstream. (JP101, P.7)
The purpose of respiration is to get _________________ into the body and
remove excess __________________. - correct answer ✔✔Oxygen; carbon
dioxide (JP102, P.11)
What is/are the site(s) of gas exchange in the lung between the atmosphere and
the blood? - correct answer ✔✔Alveoli (JP102, P.12)
What is the normal breathing rate of an average adult? - correct answer ✔✔12-16
breaths per minute. (JP102, P.13)
, What is the most important factor in the control of ventilation under normal
conditions? - correct answer ✔✔PCO2 (JP102, P.12)
What is the main function of red blood cells? - correct answer ✔✔Carry oxygen
(JP102, P.16)
During ascent (as ambient pressure decreases), gases trapped within body cavities
will __________________. - correct answer ✔✔Expand (JP103, P.28)
The four areas of the body influenced by the mechanical effects of trapped gases
are: - correct answer ✔✔Ears, sinuses, GI tract, teeth (JP103, P.28)
What is the best method of preventing problems with the ears and sinuses in-
flight? - correct answer ✔✔Do not fly with a cold (JP103, P.29)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with "the bends." - correct answer
✔✔Deep, dull, boring pain in a joint; Pain may involve the muscles; Usually occurs
in the shoulders, knees, elbows, and ankles. (JP103, P.30-31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with "the chokes." - correct answer
✔✔Deep, sharp pain centrally located under the sternum; Difficulty with
inspiration. (JP103, P.30-31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with skin manifestations or "the
creeps." - correct answer ✔✔Mottled and diffused rash. (JP103, P.31)
Physiology Test Review Questions
(correctly answered to pass)
What is the approximate percentage of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases at
18,000 feet MSL? - correct answer ✔✔21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen,
and 1 percent other gasses. (JP101, P.3)
What is the best description of atmospheric pressure and its cause? - correct
answer ✔✔The combined weight of all the atmospheric gases which is caused by
gravity pulling the gas molecules earthward and thermal and solar radiation
expanding the gasses outward toward space. (JP101, P.3)
What are the common units to measure atmospheric pressure? - correct answer
✔✔inHg, mmHg, psi (JP101, P.3)
What represents the notation for the partial pressure of gasses? - correct answer
✔✔PO2-partial pressure of oxygen, PCO2-partial pressure of carbon dioxide, PN2-
partial pressure of nitrogen. (JP101, P.6)
True or false; PO2 increases and the percentage of oxygen decreases as altitude
increases. - correct answer ✔✔False (JP101, P.3)
What is the temperature lapse rate up to approximately 35,000 feet? - correct
answer ✔✔About 2 degrees Celsius per 1,000 feet of elevation change (JP101,
P.4)
,The human body is adapted to which physiological division of the atmosphere? -
correct answer ✔✔Physiological zone (JP101, P.5)
Boyle's Law - correct answer ✔✔Explains why a balloon expands as it ascends and
also why a volume of air expands when trapped in a body cavity when the
pressure is reduced around it. (JP101, P.6)
Henry's Law - correct answer ✔✔Explains why a soda pop bubbles after it is
opened. (JP101, P.6)
Dalton's Law - correct answer ✔✔Explains how exposure to a high altitude can
reduce the available oxygen. (JP101, P.6)
Charles' Law - correct answer ✔✔Explains why the temperature increases in a
cylinder that is being pressurized. (JP101, NP)
Law of Gaseous Diffusion - correct answer ✔✔Explains how oxygen moves out of
the lungs into the bloodstream. (JP101, P.7)
The purpose of respiration is to get _________________ into the body and
remove excess __________________. - correct answer ✔✔Oxygen; carbon
dioxide (JP102, P.11)
What is/are the site(s) of gas exchange in the lung between the atmosphere and
the blood? - correct answer ✔✔Alveoli (JP102, P.12)
What is the normal breathing rate of an average adult? - correct answer ✔✔12-16
breaths per minute. (JP102, P.13)
, What is the most important factor in the control of ventilation under normal
conditions? - correct answer ✔✔PCO2 (JP102, P.12)
What is the main function of red blood cells? - correct answer ✔✔Carry oxygen
(JP102, P.16)
During ascent (as ambient pressure decreases), gases trapped within body cavities
will __________________. - correct answer ✔✔Expand (JP103, P.28)
The four areas of the body influenced by the mechanical effects of trapped gases
are: - correct answer ✔✔Ears, sinuses, GI tract, teeth (JP103, P.28)
What is the best method of preventing problems with the ears and sinuses in-
flight? - correct answer ✔✔Do not fly with a cold (JP103, P.29)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with "the bends." - correct answer
✔✔Deep, dull, boring pain in a joint; Pain may involve the muscles; Usually occurs
in the shoulders, knees, elbows, and ankles. (JP103, P.30-31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with "the chokes." - correct answer
✔✔Deep, sharp pain centrally located under the sternum; Difficulty with
inspiration. (JP103, P.30-31)
Decompression sickness symptoms associated with skin manifestations or "the
creeps." - correct answer ✔✔Mottled and diffused rash. (JP103, P.31)
