Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

|

The Gas Exchange System (CIE A Level Biology)

Exam Questions

2 hours39 questions
11 mark

Goblet cells, squamous epithelial cells and ciliated cells are found in various structures that make up the human lung.

Where are these cells located?

  Goblet Squamous Epithelial Ciliated
A pulmonary vein alveolus trachea
B bronchus bronchiole trachea
C trachea alveolus bronchiole
D bronchiole pulmonary vein bronchus

    Did this page help you?

    21 mark

    Which fact about alveoli and blood capillaries does not lead to an increased efficiency of gaseous exchange in the lungs?

    • The walls of the capillaries and alveoli are coated in surfactant

    • The walls of the capillaries and alveoli are very thin

    • Capillaries and alveoli have a large total surface area

    • The blood flow slows as it passes through pulmonary capillaries

    Did this page help you?

    31 mark

    Goblet cells and ciliated epithelium are both found in which structures in the breathing system?

      bronchioles bronchi  trachea
    A Y Y N
    B Y N N
    C N N Y
    D N Y Y

    Key:
    Y = both found
    N = both not found

      Did this page help you?

      41 mark

      Label the structures in the human breathing system.

      q4-cie-9-1

        1 2 3 4
      A bronchus trachea vein bronchiole
      B bronchiole alveoli vein bronchus
      C trachea alveoli bronchus bronchiole
      D trachea alveoli bronchiole bronchus

        Did this page help you?

        51 mark

        What is the function of elastic fibres in the lungs?

        • They increase in number in the walls of alveoli as a result of the release of the enzyme elastase

        • They prevent the walls of the alveoli from collapsing as air is breathed in

        • They allow the walls of stretched alveoli to recoil to assist in exhalation

        • They increase in number in the walls of the alveoli as emphysema develops

        Did this page help you?

        61 mark

        Which row correctly describes the pulmonary artery?

          blood carried lumen size muscle in walls
        A oxygenated small thick
        B oxygenated large thin
        C deoxygenated small thick
        D deoxygenated large thin

          Did this page help you?

          71 mark

          Which row correctly gives the approximate diameters of the alveolus, trachea, bronchus and bronchiole within a human lung? 

            alveolus / mm trachea / mm bronchiole / mm bronchus / mm
          A 0.25 12 0.50 18
          B 0.25 18 0.50 12
          C 0.50 12 0.25 18
          D 0.50 18 0.25 12

            Did this page help you?

            81 mark

            Which function is paired with the incorrect cell or tissue?

              function cell / tissue
            A destroys bacteria by producing enzymes goblet cells
            B reinforces the trachea cartilage
            C constricts bronchioles smooth muscle
            D moves mucus over the surface of the trachea ciliated

              Did this page help you?

              91 mark

              What are the correct functions of the named tissues of the gas exchange system?

               

              smooth muscle

              cartilage

              ciliated epithelium

              elastic fibres

              A

              controls the airflow to and from the alveoli

              supports small bronchioles

              traps bacteria and dirt in the air

              allows the trachea to stretch

              B

              contacts to increase airflow

              prevents choking

              secretes mucus

              supports the trachea

              C

              changes the diameter of bronchioles

              keeps airways open

              moves mucus out of airways

              enables alveoli to expand during inhalation

              D

              traps bacteria and dirt in the air

              prevents the trachea from collapsing when coughing

              keeps a layer of mucus lining the airways

              causes elastic recoil when exhaling

                Did this page help you?

                101 mark

                The diagram shows a cross-section of a bronchus wall (not to scale).

                screenshot-2023-05-14-103858

                Which row correctly labels the diagram?

                 

                1

                2

                3

                4

                A

                smooth muscle

                elastic fibres

                phagocyte

                squamous endothelium

                B

                cartilage

                smooth muscle

                goblet cell

                ciliated epithelium

                C

                smooth muscle

                elastic fibres

                phagocyte

                ciliated epithelium

                D

                cartilage

                smooth muscle

                goblet cell

                squamous endothelium

                  Did this page help you?

                  11 mark

                  Haemoglobin can bind to oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

                  1

                  Oxygen

                  2

                  Carbon dioxide

                  3

                  Carbon monoxide

                  Which gases bind to the same site on the haemoglobin molecule?

                  • 1 and 2

                  • 1 and 3

                  • 2 and 3

                  • 1, 2 and 3

                  Did this page help you?

                  21 mark

                  Which row correctly describes a bronchiole?

                   

                  diameter (mm)

                  collagen and elastic fibres

                  site of gas exchange

                  cilia

                  A

                  0.25

                  no

                  yes

                  yes

                  B

                  0.5

                  no

                  no

                  no

                  C

                  1

                  yes

                  no

                  yes

                  D

                  20

                  yes

                  no

                  yes

                    Did this page help you?

                    31 mark

                    The trachea and alveoli are key structures in the human gas exchange system.

                    Which tissues are present in each?

                       

                    cartilage

                    epithelium with goblet cells

                    smooth muscle

                    A

                    trachea

                    alveoli

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    N

                    B

                    trachea

                    alveoli

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    C

                    trachea

                    alveoli

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    Y

                    D

                    trachea

                    alveoli

                    Y

                    Y

                    Y

                    Y

                    Y

                    Y

                    Key: Y=present N=absent

                      Did this page help you?

                      41 mark

                      The diagram shows a section of a specialised type of epithelium.

                      screenshot-2023-05-14-104858

                      Where can this epithelium be found in the respiratory system?

                       

                      bronchus

                      all bronchioles

                      trachea

                      A

                      ✓

                      ✓

                      ✓

                      B

                      ✓

                      X

                      ✓

                      C

                      X

                      ✓

                      ✓

                      D

                      ✓

                      ✓

                      X

                      Key: ✓= present, X= absent

                        Did this page help you?

                        51 mark

                        A scientist looks at the wall of a bronchus under an electron microscope.

                        What would they expect to see?

                        1

                        Exocytotic vesicles

                        2

                        Cartilage cells

                        3

                        Ciliated cells

                        • 1 and 2

                        • 1 and 3

                        • 2 and 3

                        • 1, 2 and 3

                        Did this page help you?

                        61 mark

                        Which of the following does not lead to a maximised uptake of oxygen in the lungs?

                        • Binding of the first oxygen molecule increases haemoglobin’s affinity for other oxygen molecules

                        • Up to eight oxygen atoms can be bound to one haemoglobin molecule

                        • Dissociation of carbon dioxide from carboxyhaemoglobin allows more haemoglobin to be available for oxygen binding

                        • Oxyhaemoglobin formation increases the capacity of red blood cells to transport oxygen

                        Did this page help you?

                        71 mark

                        Why do bronchioles have a folded inner lining?

                        • To trap foreign particles

                        • To increase the surface area

                        • To allow for expansion during breathing

                        • To facilitate gaseous exchange

                        Did this page help you?

                        81 mark
                         

                        highest affinity                →       lowest affinity

                        A

                        oxygen

                        carbon dioxide

                        carbon monoxide

                        B

                        oxygen

                        carbon monoxide

                        carbon dioxide

                        C

                        carbon monoxide

                        carbon dioxide

                        oxygen

                        D

                        carbon monoxide

                        oxygen

                        carbon dioxide

                        What is the correct order of binding affinity to haemoglobin?

                          Did this page help you?

                          91 mark

                          A cross-section of a bronchus is shown in the photomicrograph.

                          screenshot-2023-05-14-110944

                          What is the function of X and Y? 

                           

                          X

                          Y

                          A

                          trap dust and dirt

                          secrete mucus

                          B

                          secrete mucus

                          prevent collapse of the airway

                          C

                          waft dust and dirt upwards

                          constrict airway

                          D

                          support the airway

                          dilate airway

                            Did this page help you?

                            101 mark

                            A student was asked to describe the differences between four microscope slides of sections taken from different parts of the gas exchange system.

                            slide 1

                            not present: glands, cartilage
                             present: few ciliated epithelial cells, smooth muscle

                            slide 2

                            present: goblet cells, incomplete cartilage rings, glands, smooth muscle, ciliated epithelial cells

                            slide 3

                            present: goblet cells, plates of cartilage, ciliated epithelial cells, glands, smooth muscle 

                            slide 4 not present: goblet cells, cartilage, glands, smooth muscle 
                            present: squamous epithelial cells

                            Which is the correct identification of the parts of the gas exchange system?

                             

                            slide 1

                            slide 2

                            slide 3

                            slide 4

                            A

                            bronchiole

                            trachea

                            bronchus

                            alveolus

                            B

                            bronchus

                            trachea

                            alveolus

                            bronchiole

                            C

                            bronchiole

                            bronchus

                            trachea

                            alveolus

                            D

                            alveolus

                            bronchiole

                            trachea

                            bronchus

                              Did this page help you?

                              11 mark

                              The diagram shows specialised tissues in a magnified section of a human lung.

                              screenshot-2023-05-14-112529

                              Where can HCO3- ions, carbonic anhydrase and lysosomes be found in high proportions?

                               

                              HCO3- ions

                              carbonic anhydrase

                              lysosomes

                              A

                              4

                              2

                              5

                              B

                              5

                              3

                              6

                              C

                              6

                              4

                              1

                              D

                              3

                              1

                              4

                                Did this page help you?

                                21 mark

                                What is the correct order for the events that occur during mucus secretion from goblet cells in the trachea?

                                1

                                Secretion of a glycoprotein

                                2

                                Addition of a carbohydrate to protein

                                3

                                Separation of a vesicle from the Golgi apparatus

                                4

                                Fusion of the vesicle with the plasma membrane

                                • 3 → 2 → 4 → 1

                                • 4 → 1 → 3 → 2

                                • 2 → 3 → 4 → 1

                                • 4 → 1 → 2 → 3

                                Did this page help you?

                                31 mark

                                A bronchus wall is shown in the photomicrograph. 

                                screenshot-2023-05-14-113344

                                What is the function of tissue X?

                                • Widens the airway after an allergic reaction

                                • Contracts to constrict the airway

                                • Provides support to stop the airway from collapsing

                                • Produces mucus to trap bacteria and dust climbing

                                Did this page help you?

                                41 mark

                                The efficiency of gas exchange was the same in all four people.

                                tidal volume(dm3) = volume of lung after inhalation(dm3) – volume of lung after exhalation(dm3)

                                Which person absorbed most oxygen during four minutes of normal breathing?

                                person

                                tidal volume / dm3

                                total lung volume / dm3

                                breathing rate / breaths per minute

                                A

                                0.6

                                6.4

                                14

                                B

                                0.6

                                6.0

                                15

                                C

                                0.5

                                6.4

                                16

                                D

                                0.4

                                5.8

                                17

                                  Did this page help you?

                                  51 mark

                                  During an asthma attack, extra mucus is produced and tubes within the gas exchange system narrow.

                                  Which of the following responses occur during an asthma attack?

                                  1

                                  Exocytosis in goblet cells increases

                                  2

                                  Activity of ciliated epithelium increases

                                  3

                                  Smooth muscles respire faster

                                  • 1 and 2

                                  • 1 and 3

                                  • 2 and 3

                                  • 1, 2 and 3

                                  Did this page help you?

                                  61 mark

                                  Which of the following organelles do goblet cells have large quantities of?

                                  1

                                  Secretory vesicles

                                  2

                                  Rough endoplasmic reticulum

                                  3

                                  Mitochondria

                                  4

                                  Lysosomes

                                  • 1 and 3 only

                                  • 2 and 4 only

                                  • 1, 2 and 3 only

                                  • 2, 3 and 4 only

                                  Did this page help you?

                                  71 mark

                                  The alveoli walls are damaged by a disease. 

                                  What effect does this have on the surface area and volume of the lungs?

                                   

                                  volume

                                  surface area

                                  A

                                  no change

                                  no change

                                  B

                                  no change

                                  decreased

                                  C

                                  decreased

                                  decreased

                                  D

                                  increased

                                  decreased

                                    Did this page help you?

                                    81 mark

                                    If an asthmatic person inhales an allergen the following occurs:

                                    • Goblet cells that line the bronchi and bronchioles secrete excess mucus
                                    • Bronchi and bronchioles become narrow and inflamed

                                    What effect do these responses have on gaseous exchange?

                                    1

                                    Increase the diffusion distance from the alveoli into the blood

                                    2

                                    Increase the risk of developing a lung infection

                                    3

                                    Decrease the diffusion gradient for oxygen in the lungs

                                    • 1 and 2

                                    • 1 and 3

                                    • 2 and 3

                                    • 1, 2 and 3

                                    Did this page help you?

                                    91 mark

                                    Some research has suggested that there is a positive correlation between smoking and the risk of developing lung cancer. The results of two studies of men between 1950 and 1998 are shown in the graphs below.

                                    Note Deaths per 100,000 of age group, are deaths from lung cancer. 

                                    heobgeGb_image

                                    Which statement is not supported by the data in the graphs?

                                    • The data for men 60-74 between 1950 to 1970 suggests that lung cancer takes up to 20 years to develop

                                    • Deaths from lung cancer in men 35-59 decreased by 50 % over the period of the study

                                    • The number of men aged 35-59 who were smokers decreased by approximately 60 % over the period of the study

                                    • Deaths from lung cancer in men 60-74 increased up to 1970

                                    Did this page help you?

                                    101 mark

                                    Emphysema is a lung disease that results in the alveoli being unable to return to their original shape after inhalation. Stages in the development of emphysema are shown in the diagram below.

                                    screenshot-2023-05-14-115528

                                    What correctly identifies 1, 2 and 3?

                                     

                                    1

                                    2

                                    3

                                    A

                                    phagocytes

                                    alveoli

                                    elastase

                                    B

                                    phagocytes

                                    bronchiole

                                    ligase

                                    C

                                    lymphocytes

                                    alveoli

                                    elastase

                                    D

                                    lymphocytes

                                    bronchiole

                                    ligase

                                      Did this page help you?