1. Name the components of the respiratory system in the order incoming air would encounter them during breathing.
a.)trachea, pharynx, larynx, alveoli, bronchi
b.)bronchi, larynx, alveoli, trachea, pharynx
c.)larynx, trachea, bronchi, pharynx, alveoli
d.)pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, alveoli
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Respiratory_system_complete_en.svg/901px-Respiratory_system_complete_en.svg.png
The correct answer is option c) larynx, trachea, bronchi, pharynx, alveoli.
To understand the order in which the components of the respiratory system are encountered during breathing, we need to understand the structure of the system and how air flows through it. Here's the breakdown:
1. Pharynx: Air enters the respiratory system through the nose or mouth and passes through the pharynx, which is the upper part of the throat. The pharynx serves as a common pathway for both air and food.
2. Larynx: After passing through the pharynx, air then enters the larynx, or the voice box. The larynx contains the vocal cords and is responsible for producing sounds.
3. Trachea: From the larynx, air travels down into the trachea, commonly known as the windpipe. The trachea is a tube made of cartilage rings that connects the larynx to the bronchi.
4. Bronchi: Once air reaches the bottom of the trachea, it divides into two main bronchi, one leading to each lung. The bronchi further divide into smaller bronchioles, forming a branching network within the lungs.
5. Alveoli: Finally, after the bronchi, air reaches the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs located in the lungs. This is where gas exchange occurs, with oxygen entering the bloodstream and carbon dioxide being expelled during exhaling.
So, the correct order is: larynx, trachea, bronchi, pharynx, alveoli.