Question

Which is the order of airflow during inhalation?

a. nasal cavity, trachea, larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

b. nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

c. nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchioles, bronchi, alveoli

d. nasal cavity, trachea, larynx, bronchioles, bronchi, alveoli

Short answer

The correct answer is (b) nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction 

• Respiration is an essential life process among living organisms. It uses the gaseous exchange to provide oxygen essential for producing energy.
• Thus, the primary categories of respiration include aerobic that depend on the presence of oxygen to release energy, compared to anaerobic, which does not rely on oxygen to produce energy.

Step 2. Explanation for correct answer 

(b) nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.

Inhalation is breathing in air from the environment into the lungs. Thus, the passage of air in the respiratory system follows a pattern that includes :

• Nasal cavity: The space inside the nose.
• larynx: The upper part of the trachea that allows air passage and produces sound during speech, also called the voice box.
• Trachea: The C-shaped cartilages, forming a tube that carries air into the lungs.
• Bronchi :The first tube branch from the trachea.
• Bronchiole: The fine and final branches of the bronchi, connecting to the alveolus.
• Alveoli: The alveoli are where the lungs and the blood exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide during the process of breathing in and breathing out.

Step 3. Explanation for the incorrect answer 

a. nasal cavity, trachea, larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

• The sequence of air passage during inhalation is as follows nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.
• Hence this option is not correct.

c. nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchioles, bronchi, alveoli

• The sequence of air passage during inhalation is as follows nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.
• Hence this option is not correct.

d. nasal cavity, trachea, larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

• The sequence of air passage during inhalation is as follows nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.
• Hence this option is not correct.