Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

|

The Gas Exchange System (CIE AS Biology)

Exam Questions

2 hours39 questions
11 mark

Goblet, squamous epithelial and ciliated cells are found in various structures that make up the human lung.

Where are these cells located?

  Goblet Squamous Epithelial Ciliated
A pulmonary vein alveolus trachea
B bronchus bronchiole trachea
C trachea alveolus bronchiole
D bronchiole pulmonary vein bronchus

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    21 mark

    Which fact about alveoli and blood capillaries does not lead to an increased efficiency of gaseous exchange in the lungs?

    • The walls of the capillaries and alveoli are coated in surfactant

    • The walls of the capillaries and alveoli are very thin

    • Capillaries and alveoli have a large total surface area

    • The blood flow slows as it passes through pulmonary capillaries

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    31 mark

    Goblet cells and ciliated epithelium are both found in which structures in the breathing system?

      bronchioles bronchi  trachea
    A Y Y N
    B Y N N
    C N N Y
    D N Y Y

    Key: Y = both found N = both not found

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      41 mark

      Correctly label the structures in the human respiratory system.

      q4-cie-9-1

        1 2 3 4
      A bronchus trachea vein bronchiole
      B bronchiole alveoli vein bronchus
      C trachea alveoli bronchus bronchiole
      D trachea alveoli bronchiole bronchus

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        51 mark

        What is the function of elastic fibres in the lungs?

        • They increase in the walls of alveoli as a result of the release of the enzyme elastase

        • They prevent the walls of the alveoli from collapsing as air is breathed in

        • They allow the walls of stretched alveoli to recoil as air is breathed out.

        • They increase in the walls of the alveoli as emphysema develops.

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        61 mark

        Which row correctly describes the pulmonary artery?

          blood carried lumen size muscle in walls
        A oxygenated small thick
        B oxygenated large thin
        C deoxygenated small thick
        D deoxygenated large thin

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          71 mark

          Which row correctly gives the approximate diameters of the alveolus, trachea, bronchus and bronchiole within a human lung? 

            alveolus (mm) trachea (mm) bronchiole (mm) bronchus (mm)
          A 0.25 12 0.50 18
          B 0.25 18 0.50 12
          C 0.50 12 0.25 18
          D 0.50 18 0.25 12

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            81 mark

            Which function is paired with the incorrect cell or tissue?

              function cell / tissue
            A destroys bacteria by producing enzymes goblet cells
            B reinforces the trachea cartilage
            C constricts bronchioles smooth muscle
            D moves mucus over the surface of the trachea ciliated

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              91 mark

              What are the correct functions of the named tissues of the gas exchange system?

               

              smooth muscle

              cartilage

              ciliated epithelium

              elastic fibres

              A

              controls the air flow to and from the alveoli

              supports small bronchioles

              traps bacteria and dirt in the air

              allows the trachea to stretch

              B

              contacts to increase air flow

              prevents choking

              secretes mucus

              supports the trachea

              C

              changes the diameter of bronchioles

              keeps airways open

              moves mucus out of airways

              enables alveoli expand during inhalation

              D

              traps bacteria and dirt in the air

              prevents trachea from collapsing when coughing

              keeps a layer of mucus lining in the air ways

              causes elastic recoil when exhaling

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                101 mark

                The diagram shows a cross-section of a bronchus wall (not to scale).

                screenshot-2023-05-14-103858

                Which row correctly labels the diagram?

                 

                1

                2

                3

                4

                A

                smooth muscle

                elastic fibres

                phagocyte

                squamous endothelium

                B

                cartilage

                smooth muscle

                goblet cell

                ciliated epithelium

                C

                smooth muscle

                elastic fibres

                phagocyte

                ciliated epithelium

                D

                cartilage

                smooth muscle

                goblet cell

                squamous endothelium

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                  11 mark

                  Haemoglobin can bind to oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

                  1

                  Oxygen

                  2

                  carbon dioxide

                  3

                  carbon monoxide

                  Which gases bind to the same site?

                  • 1 and 2

                  • 1 and 3

                  • 2 and 3

                  • 1, 2 and 3

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                  21 mark

                  Which row correctly describes a bronchiole?

                   

                  diameter (mm)

                  collagen and elastic fibres

                  site of gas exchange

                  cilia

                  A

                  0.25

                  no

                  yes

                  yes

                  B

                  0.5

                  no

                  no

                  no

                  C

                  1

                  yes

                  no

                  yes

                  D

                  20

                  yes

                  no

                  yes

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                    31 mark

                    The trachea and alveoli are key structures in the human gas exchange system. Which tissues are present in each?

                       

                    cartilage

                    epithelium with goblet cells

                    smooth muscle

                    A

                    trachea

                    alveoli

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    N

                    B

                    trachea

                    alveoli

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    C

                    trachea

                    alveoli

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    N

                    Y

                    Y

                    D

                    trachea

                    alveoli

                    Y

                    Y

                    Y

                    Y

                    Y

                    Y

                    Key: Y=present N=absent

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                      41 mark

                      The diagram shows a section of a specialised type of epithelium.

                      screenshot-2023-05-14-104858

                      Where can this epithelium be found in the respiratory system?

                       

                      bronchus

                      all bronchioles

                      trachea

                      A

                      B

                      X

                      C

                      X

                      D

                      X

                      Key: = present, X= absent

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                        51 mark

                        A scientist looks at the wall of a bronchus under an electron microscope. What would they see?

                        1

                        exocytotic vesicles

                        2

                        cartilage cells

                        3

                        ciliated cells

                        • 1 and 2

                        • 1 and 3

                        • 2 and 3

                        • 1, 2 and 3

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                        61 mark

                        Which of the following does not lead to a maximised uptake of oxygen in the lungs?

                        • Binding of the first oxygen molecule increases haemoglobin’s affinity for other oxygen molecules

                        • Up to eight oxygen atoms can be bound to one haemoglobin molecule

                        • Dissociation of carbon dioxide from carboxyhaemoglobin allows more haemoglobin to be available for oxygen binding

                        • Oxyhaemoglobin formation increases the capacity of red blood cells to transport oxygen

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                        71 mark

                        Why do bronchioles have a folded inner lining?

                        • to trap foreign particles

                        • to increase the surface area

                        • to allow for expansion during breathing

                        • to facilitate gaseous exchange

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                        81 mark
                         

                        highest affinity                →       lowest affinity

                        A

                        oxygen

                        carbon dioxide

                        carbon monoxide

                        B

                        oxygen

                        carbon monoxide

                        carbon dioxide

                        C

                        carbon monoxide

                        carbon dioxide

                        oxygen

                        D

                        carbon monoxide

                        oxygen

                        carbon dioxide

                        What is the correct order of binding affinity to haemoglobin?

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                          91 mark

                          A cross-section of a bronchus is shown in the photomicrograph.

                          screenshot-2023-05-14-110944

                          What is the function of X and Y

                           

                          X

                          Y

                          A

                          trap dust and dirt

                          secrete mucus

                          B

                          secrete mucus

                          prevent collapse of the airway

                          C

                          waft dust and dirt upwards

                          constrict airway

                          D

                          support the airway

                          dilate airway

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                            101 mark

                            A student was asked to describe the differences between four microscope slides of sections taken from different parts of the gas exchange system.

                            slide 1

                            not present: glands, cartilage
                             present: few ciliated epithelial cells, smooth muscle

                            slide 2

                            present: goblet cells, incomplete cartilage rings, glands, smooth muscle, ciliated epithelial cells

                            slide 3

                            present: goblet cells, plates of cartilage, ciliated epithelial cells, glands, smooth muscle 

                            slide 4 not present: goblet cells, cartilage, glands, smooth muscle 
                            present: squamous epithelial cells

                            Which is the correct identification of the parts of the gas exchange system?

                             

                            slide 1

                            slide 2

                            slide 3

                            slide 4

                            A

                            bronchiole

                            trachea

                            bronchus

                            alveolus

                            B

                            bronchus

                            trachea

                            alveolus

                            bronchiole

                            C

                            bronchiole

                            bronchus

                            trachea

                            alveolus

                            D

                            alveolus

                            bronchiole

                            trachea

                            bronchus

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                              11 mark

                              The diagram shows specialised tissues in a magnified section of a human lung.

                              screenshot-2023-05-14-112529

                              Where can HCO3- ions, carbonic anhydrase and lysosomes be found in high proportions?

                               

                              HCO3- ions

                              carbonic anhydrase

                              lysosomes

                              A

                              4

                              2

                              5

                              B

                              5

                              3

                              6

                              C

                              6

                              4

                              1

                              D

                              3

                              1

                              4

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                                21 mark

                                What is the correct order for the events that occur during mucus secretion from goblet cells in the trachea?

                                1

                                secretion of a glycoprotein

                                2

                                addition of a carbohydrate to protein

                                3

                                separation of a vesicle from the Golgi apparatus

                                4

                                fusion of the vesicle with the plasma membrane

                                • 3 → 2 → 4 → 1

                                • 4 → 1 → 3 → 2

                                • 2 → 3 → 4 → 1

                                • 4 → 1 → 2 → 3

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                                31 mark

                                A bronchus wall is shown in the photomicrograph. 

                                screenshot-2023-05-14-113344

                                What is the function of tissue X?

                                • widens the airway after an allergic reaction

                                • contracts to constrict the airway

                                • provides support to stop the airway from collapsing

                                • produces mucus to trap bacteria and dust climbing

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                                41 mark

                                The efficiency of gas exchange was the same in all four people.

                                tidal volume(dm3) = volume of lung after inhalation(dm3) – volume of lung after exhalation(dm3)

                                Which person absorbed most oxygen during four minutes of normal breathing?

                                person

                                tidal volume / dm3

                                total lung volume / dm3

                                breathing rate / breaths per minute

                                A

                                0.6

                                6.4

                                14

                                B

                                0.6

                                6.0

                                15

                                C

                                0.5

                                6.4

                                16

                                D

                                0.4

                                5.8

                                17

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                                  51 mark

                                  During an asthma attack, extra mucus is produced and tubes within the gas exchange system narrow.

                                  Which of the following responses occur during an asthma attack?

                                  1

                                  Exocytosis in goblet cells increases

                                  2

                                  Activity of ciliated epithelium increases

                                  3

                                  Smooth muscles respire faster

                                  • 1 and 2

                                  • 1 and 3

                                  • 2 and 3

                                  • 1, 2 and 3

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                                  61 mark

                                  Which of the following organelles do goblet cells have large quantities of?

                                  1

                                  secretory vesicles

                                  2

                                  rough endoplasmic reticulum

                                  3

                                  mitochondria

                                  4

                                  lysosomes

                                  • 1 and 3 only

                                  • 2 and 4 only

                                  • 1, 2 and 3 only

                                  • 2, 3 and 4 only

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                                  71 mark

                                  The alveoli walls are damaged by a disease. 

                                  What effect does this have on the surface area and volume of the lungs?

                                   

                                  volume

                                  surface area

                                  A

                                  no change

                                  no change

                                  B

                                  no change

                                  decreased

                                  C

                                  decreased

                                  decreased

                                  D

                                  increased

                                  decreased

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                                    81 mark

                                    If an asthmatic person inhales an allergen the following occurs:

                                    • goblet cells that line the bronchi and bronchioles secrete excess mucus
                                    • bronchi and bronchioles become narrow and inflamed

                                    What effect do these responses have on gaseous exchange?

                                    1

                                    increase the diffusion distance from the alveoli into the blood

                                    2

                                    increase the risk of developing a lung infection

                                    3

                                    decrease the diffusion gradient for oxygen in the lungs

                                    • 1 and 2

                                    • 1 and 3

                                    • 2 and 3

                                    • 1, 2 and 3

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                                    91 mark

                                    Some research has suggested that there is a positive correlation between smoking and the risk of developing lung cancer. The results of two studies of men between 1950 and 1998 are shown in the graphs below.

                                    screenshot-2023-05-14-114637

                                    Which statement is not supported by the data in the graphs?

                                    • The data for men 60-74 between 1950 to 1970 suggests that lung cancer takes up to 20 years to develop

                                    • Deaths from lung cancer in men 35-59 decreased by 50 % over the period of the study

                                    • The number of men aged 35-59 who were smokers decreased by approximately 60 % over the period of the study

                                    • Deaths from lung cancer in men 60-74 increased up to 1970

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                                    101 mark

                                    Emphysema is a lung disease that results in the alveoli being unable to return to their original shape after inhalation. Stages in the development of emphysema are shown in the diagram below.

                                    screenshot-2023-05-14-115528

                                    What correctly identifies 1, 2 and 3?

                                     

                                    1

                                    2

                                    3

                                    A

                                    phagocytes

                                    alveoli

                                    elastase

                                    B

                                    phagocytes

                                    bronchiole

                                    ligase

                                    C

                                    lymphocytes

                                    alveoli

                                    elastase

                                    D

                                    lymphocytes

                                    bronchiole

                                    ligase

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