Final answer:
False, the conducting zone has a thicker mucosal lining than the respiratory zone to trap pathogens and debris, while the respiratory zone has a thin lining for gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
False, in general, respiratory zone structures are not lined with a thicker mucosa than conducting zone structures. Instead, the conducting zone of the respiratory system, which includes structures such as the nasal cavity, trachea, and bronchi, is lined with a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells that produce mucus. This mucus is essential for trapping debris and pathogens. Cilia move the mucus toward the throat for it to be swallowed, meaning that the conducting zone has a thicker mucosal lining. In contrast, the respiratory zone, which includes the alveoli where gas exchange occurs, is lined with a thin layer of simple squamous epithelium to facilitate the diffusion of gases.