BIOD 151 Gas Exchange & Pulmonary Alveoli
Exam Review 100 Verified Questions & Answers
2026 Edition Portage Learning | Anatomy &
Physiology I
This comprehensive review guide is designed to prepare you for
the BIOD 151 Module 2 (Portage Learning) examination on the
respiratory system and gas exchange. Questions are formatted to
mirror the actual exam, including multiple-choice, true/false, fill-
in-the-blank, and essay-style questions. Each question includes
the Answer and a detailed Expert Rationale.
• Topics Covered: Respiratory system anatomy, alveolar cells, gas
exchange mechanisms, Boyle's Law, lung volumes and capacities,
ventilation mechanics, surfactant function, respiratory
pathologies, and partial pressure
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
(Questions 1–40)
Question 1
How many lobes does the right human lung have?
A. 1 lobe
B. 2 lobes
,C. 3 lobes
D. 4 lobes
Answer: C. 3 lobes
Expert Rationale: The right lung has three lobes: superior,
middle, and inferior. The left lung has only two lobes (superior
and inferior) to accommodate the heart.
Question 2
How many lobes does the left human lung have?
A. 1 lobe
B. 2 lobes
C. 3 lobes
D. 4 lobes
Answer: B. 2 lobes
Expert Rationale: The left lung has two lobes (superior and
inferior) due to the cardiac notch, which creates space for the
heart.
Question 3
In the respiratory system, gas exchange occurs in the:
A. Bronchi
B. Respiratory bronchioles
C. Terminal bronchioles
,D. Pulmonary alveoli
E. B and D
Answer: E. B and D (Respiratory bronchioles and Pulmonary
alveoli)
Expert Rationale: Gas exchange occurs in the respiratory zone,
which includes respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts,
alveolar sacs, and pulmonary alveoli. The bronchi and terminal
bronchioles are part of the conducting zone and do not participate
in gas exchange.
Question 4
Air (and not food) passes through which of the following areas?
A. Esophagus
B. Nasopharynx
C. Oropharynx
D. Both A and C
Answer: B. Nasopharynx
Expert Rationale: The nasopharynx is part of the respiratory
tract only—air passes through it, but food does not. The
oropharynx and laryngopharynx are shared pathways for both air
and food.
Question 5
Air and food pass through which of the following areas?
, A. Esophagus
B. Nasopharynx
C. Oropharynx
D. Both A and C
Answer: C. Oropharynx
Expert Rationale: The oropharynx serves as a common
passageway for both air (from the nasal cavity) and food (from
the oral cavity). The esophagus is for food only, and the
nasopharynx is for air only.
Question 6
Rings of cartilage line much of the respiratory tract. In which of
the following structures would cartilage NOT be found?
A. Trachea
B. Larynx
C. Bronchi
D. Alveoli
Answer: D. Alveoli
Expert Rationale: Alveoli are composed of thin simple squamous
epithelium and do not contain cartilage. Cartilage is found in the
trachea, larynx, and bronchi to keep airways open. The absence of
cartilage in alveoli allows for maximum flexibility and gas
exchange.
Exam Review 100 Verified Questions & Answers
2026 Edition Portage Learning | Anatomy &
Physiology I
This comprehensive review guide is designed to prepare you for
the BIOD 151 Module 2 (Portage Learning) examination on the
respiratory system and gas exchange. Questions are formatted to
mirror the actual exam, including multiple-choice, true/false, fill-
in-the-blank, and essay-style questions. Each question includes
the Answer and a detailed Expert Rationale.
• Topics Covered: Respiratory system anatomy, alveolar cells, gas
exchange mechanisms, Boyle's Law, lung volumes and capacities,
ventilation mechanics, surfactant function, respiratory
pathologies, and partial pressure
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
(Questions 1–40)
Question 1
How many lobes does the right human lung have?
A. 1 lobe
B. 2 lobes
,C. 3 lobes
D. 4 lobes
Answer: C. 3 lobes
Expert Rationale: The right lung has three lobes: superior,
middle, and inferior. The left lung has only two lobes (superior
and inferior) to accommodate the heart.
Question 2
How many lobes does the left human lung have?
A. 1 lobe
B. 2 lobes
C. 3 lobes
D. 4 lobes
Answer: B. 2 lobes
Expert Rationale: The left lung has two lobes (superior and
inferior) due to the cardiac notch, which creates space for the
heart.
Question 3
In the respiratory system, gas exchange occurs in the:
A. Bronchi
B. Respiratory bronchioles
C. Terminal bronchioles
,D. Pulmonary alveoli
E. B and D
Answer: E. B and D (Respiratory bronchioles and Pulmonary
alveoli)
Expert Rationale: Gas exchange occurs in the respiratory zone,
which includes respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts,
alveolar sacs, and pulmonary alveoli. The bronchi and terminal
bronchioles are part of the conducting zone and do not participate
in gas exchange.
Question 4
Air (and not food) passes through which of the following areas?
A. Esophagus
B. Nasopharynx
C. Oropharynx
D. Both A and C
Answer: B. Nasopharynx
Expert Rationale: The nasopharynx is part of the respiratory
tract only—air passes through it, but food does not. The
oropharynx and laryngopharynx are shared pathways for both air
and food.
Question 5
Air and food pass through which of the following areas?
, A. Esophagus
B. Nasopharynx
C. Oropharynx
D. Both A and C
Answer: C. Oropharynx
Expert Rationale: The oropharynx serves as a common
passageway for both air (from the nasal cavity) and food (from
the oral cavity). The esophagus is for food only, and the
nasopharynx is for air only.
Question 6
Rings of cartilage line much of the respiratory tract. In which of
the following structures would cartilage NOT be found?
A. Trachea
B. Larynx
C. Bronchi
D. Alveoli
Answer: D. Alveoli
Expert Rationale: Alveoli are composed of thin simple squamous
epithelium and do not contain cartilage. Cartilage is found in the
trachea, larynx, and bronchi to keep airways open. The absence of
cartilage in alveoli allows for maximum flexibility and gas
exchange.
