[Campbell Biology P.992] Which of the following correctly describes the path of inhaled air ... | Practice Question

Which of the following correctly describes the path of inhaled air in the mammalian respiratory system, starting from the nasal cavity?

  • A: Nasal cavity → Larynx → Pharynx → Trachea → Bronchi → Bronchioles → Alveoli
  • B: Nasal cavity → Pharynx → Larynx → Trachea → Bronchi → Bronchioles → Alveoli
  • C: Nasal cavity → Trachea → Larynx → Pharynx → Bronchi → Bronchioles → Alveoli
  • D: Nasal cavity → Pharynx → Larynx → Bronchi → Trachea → Bronchioles → Alveoli

Explanation

Inhaled air first enters the nasal cavity, then passes through the pharynx throat , followed by the larynx voice box , which leads into the trachea windpipe . The trachea branches into bronchi, which further divide into bronchioles, finally ending in the microscopic alveoli where gas exchange occurs. This sequence is explicitly described in the first paragraph and illustrated in Figure 42.24.