Final answer:
Asthma occurs in the bronchi and bronchioles, part of the lower respiratory tract. The airflow during inhalation passes through the pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and then the bronchioles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Asthma is a chronic illness that primarily affects the respiratory system, specifically in the bronchi and the bronchioles. Asthma occurs when the bronchioles swell and the muscles around them contract, causing narrowing and obstruction of the airways. In response to the student's question, 'Where does asthma occur?' the correct answer is d. Bronchi. These structures are part of the lower respiratory tract where inflammation and narrowing occur, leading to asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing and wheezing.
During inhalation, air follows a specific pathway: First, it enters through the nasal cavity or mouth, passes the pharynx (throat), reaches the larynx (voice box), then moves down the trachea (windpipe), enters the bronchi, and finally travels through the bronchioles before reaching the alveoli for gas exchange. Therefore, the correct sequence of airflow from the pharynx to the bronchioles is pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles.