Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2023
First exams 2025
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 |
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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
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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
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Label the structures in the human breathing system.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| A | bronchus | trachea | vein | bronchiole |
| B | bronchiole | alveoli | vein | bronchus |
| C | trachea | alveoli | bronchus | bronchiole |
| D | trachea | alveoli | bronchiole | bronchus |
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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
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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The diagram shows a cross-section of a bronchus wall (not to scale).
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 |
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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
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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 |
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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
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The diagram shows a section of a specialised type of epithelium.
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
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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
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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
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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
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|
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?
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A cross-section of a bronchus is shown in the photomicrograph.
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 |
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A student was asked to describe the differences between four microscope slides of sections taken from different parts of the gas exchange system.
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 |
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The diagram shows specialised tissues in a magnified section of a human lung.
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 |
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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
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A bronchus wall is shown in the photomicrograph.
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
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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 |
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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
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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
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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 |
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If an asthmatic person inhales an allergen the following occurs:
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
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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.
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
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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.
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 |
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