Question

If you were traveling in a miniaturized ship through the respiratory system, from the pharynx to an alveolus, which structures would you pass along the way, and in what order?

a) Pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
b) Nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
c) Larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, pharynx, alveoli
d) Bronchi, larynx, trachea, nasal cavity, alveoli

Answer 1

Traveling through the respiratory system from the pharynx to an alveolus involves passing the pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles. The correct answer is option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

If you were traveling in a miniaturized ship from the pharynx to an alveolus, you would pass through the following structures in this order: pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and finally reach the alveoli. After the pharynx, air moves into the larynx, also known as the voice box.

Subsequently, it continues down through the trachea, or windpipe, which is a long tube leading to the chest. The trachea divides into the right and left bronchi as it enters the lungs. The bronchi contain cartilage preventing them from collapsing and have a mucus lining to trap particles.

Cilia within the bronchi sweep the particles and mucus toward the throat to be expelled. Finally, air passes from the bronchi into smaller passages called bronchioles, which end in tiny air sacs known as alveoli, where gas exchange with the blood occurs.