Final answer:
The soft palate relaxes when a person is asleep or paralyzed, allowing for the free movement of air in the nasal and oral cavities.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person is asleep or paralyzed, the soft palate relaxes. The soft palate is the fleshy and flexible part of the palate located at the back of the mouth. It consists mainly of skeletal muscles. During sleep or paralysis, the muscle tone decreases, causing the soft palate to become more relaxed and lose its rigidity. This relaxation allows for the free movement of air in the nasal and oral cavities.