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Biology for AP® Courses

Critical Thinking Questions

Biology for AP® CoursesCritical Thinking Questions

20 .
How does the structure of alveoli maximize gas exchange?
  1. Their sac-like structure increases their surface area.
  2. Their direct connection to the bronchi maximizes their access to air.
  3. They actively transport the gases between the air and blood.
  4. They are spheres that fully fill with blood, which will come in contact with air.
21 .
What structures of the respiratory system warm and remove impurities from inhaled air?
  1. The epiglottis deflects impurities out of the trachea and into the esophagus, while the nasal cavity warms the air.
  2. Hair and mucus in the nose and trachea catch impurities, while the nasal cavity warms the air.
  3. Saliva in the mouth and hair in the trachea catch impurities, while the pharynx warms the air.
  4. The closed-off compartments of the larynx trap impurities in the air and warm the air.
22 .
If you were travelling 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?
  1. trachea, larynx, bronchi, and bronchioles
  2. larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles
  3. bronchioles, bronchi, trachea, and larynx
  4. bronchioles, trachea, bronchi, and larynx
23 .
What does FEV1/FVC measure and why will the ratio increase with lung fibrosis?
  1. the forced expiratory volume in one second in relation to the total forced vital capacity; lung fibrosis causes the lungs to decrease in size
  2. the functional expiratory volume in one second in relation to the total functional vital capacity; lung fibrosis causes the lungs to decrease in size
  3. the functional expiratory volume in one second in relation to the total functional vital capacity; lung fibrosis causes the lungs to become less pliable
  4. the forced expiratory volume in one second in relation to the total forced vital capacity; lung fibrosis causes the lungs to become less pliable
24 .
Refer to Figure 30.13
.
Review the provided illustration, then correctly compare the partial pressure of oxygen between venous blood in an alveolus and air, and between arterial blood and body tissues.
  1. higher in the blood than in the air and higher in the blood than in the body tissues
  2. lower in the blood than in the air and higher in the blood than in the body tissues
  3. higher in the blood than in the air and lower in the blood than in the body tissues
  4. lower in the blood than in the air and lower in the blood than in the body tissues
25 .
Measures of lung function include forced expiratory volume (FEV) and functional vital capacity (FVC). Make a claim that identifies what conditions of the lungs would cause an increase in FEV1/FVC, and what would cause a decrease FEV1/FVC.
  1. This ratio increases when there is decreased resistance in the lung, as when lung quality is improved through medical treatment. Obstructive lung disease would decrease the ratio as the lungs become stiff and less pliable.
  2. Obstructive lung disease would increase this ratio as the lungs become stiff and less pliable. Restrictive lung disease would decrease this ratio, as there is increased resistance in the lung.
  3. Restrictive lung disease would increase this ratio as the lungs become stiff and less pliable. Medical treatment of damaged lungs decreases this ratio, as there is increased resistance in the lung.
  4. This ratio increases as the lungs become stiff and less pliable, as with obstructive lung disease. An improvement in condition to restrictive lung disease decreases the ratio, when there is increased resistance in the lung.
26 .
Amphibians, such as frogs, breathe by collecting air in a pouch below their throat. Muscles then contract the pouch and force air into their lungs. Make a claim that explains how this process differs from inhalation in humans and other mammals.
  1. Inhalation in humans and other mammals involves the openings called spiracles, which connect to the tubular network to allow oxygen to pass into the body.
  2. Inhalation in humans and other mammals involves direct diffusion across the outer membrane to meet oxygen requirements. Gases can diffuse quickly through direct diffusion.
  3. Inhalation in humans and other mammals involve contracting the thoracic cavity by creating negative pressure in the lungs, which causes air to diffuse into the lungs.
  4. Inhalation in humans and other mammals involves expanding the thoracic cavity by creating negative pressure in the lungs, which causes air to diffuse into the lungs.
27 .
(credit: modification of work by Alex Yartsev/Deranged Physiology)

The graphs show the pressure and volume changes in normal rabbits, and rabbits whose lung surfactant was removed.

What is the effect of removing the surfactant from the lungs?

  1. The lungs inflate to same volume, but their highest pressure is lower.
  2. When inflated, the lungs have the same pressure, but their volume is lower.
  3. When inflated, the lungs have both lower pressure and lower volume.
  4. The lungs can inflate to the same volume and pressure as before.
28 .
(credit: modification of work by David Chambers/Cambridge University Press)

The image shows the pressures in different areas of the lung for a person that is standing upright.

Which part of the lung has the highest air ventilation (V) and blood perfusion (Q) ratio (V/Q)?

  1. The uppermost part of the lung.
  2. The upper middle part of the lung.
  3. The lower middle part of the lung.
  4. The lowermost part of the lung.
29 .
Make a claim to describe how the administration of 100 percent oxygen can save a patient from carbon monoxide poisoning. Explain why giving carbon dioxide wouldn't work.
  1. At that concentration, oxygen will be transported in the body at a high rate by dissolving in blood. Oxygen has more affinity for hemoglobin than carbon dioxide.
  2. At that concentration, oxygen will displace the carbon monoxide from the hemoglobin. Oxygen has more affinity for hemoglobin than carbon dioxide.
  3. At that concentration, oxygen will displace the carbon monoxide from the hemoglobin. Carbon dioxide has more affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen.
  4. At that concentration, oxygen will be transported in the body at a high rate by dissolving in blood. Carbon dioxide has more affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen.
30 .
Based on your understanding of how gases are transported from body tissues to lungs, explain what would happen if no carbonic anhydrase was present in red blood cells.
  1. Carbon dioxide would be hydrolyzed into carbonic acid or bicarbonate. The maximum amount of carbon dioxide would be transported in the blood away from the tissues.
  2. Carbon dioxide would not be hydrolyzed into carbonic acid or bicarbonate. The maximum amount of carbon dioxide would be transported in the blood away from the tissues.
  3. Oxygen would not be hydrolyzed into carbonic acid or bicarbonate. Only 50 percent of carbon dioxide would be transported in the blood away from the tissues.
  4. Carbon dioxide would not be hydrolyzed into carbonic acid or bicarbonate. Only 15 percent of carbon dioxide would be transported in the blood away from the tissues.
31 .
What is sickle cell anemia and how does it affect the perfusion of oxygen in the blood?
  1. It is a genetic disease in which red blood cells are sickle-shaped, reducing oxygen perfusion into the blood.
  2. It is a genetic disease in which red blood cells are sickle-shaped, increasing oxygen perfusion into the blood.
  3. It is a deficiency disease in which red blood cells are sickle-shaped, reducing oxygen perfusion into the blood.
  4. It is a deficiency disease in which red blood cells are sickle-shaped, increasing oxygen perfusion into the blood.
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