Biology

Respiration and Gas Transport

647 Questions

Respiration and gas transport deal with the physiological mechanisms of breathing, including the role of hemoglobin in oxygen transport and the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood. Questions cover both aerobic and anaerobic processes, along with related phenomena like altitude sickness. This human biology topic is a staple in the science sections of competitive tests.

Oxygen and hemoglobin transportAnaerobic respiration effectsCarbon dioxide removalAltitude sickness causesBreathing rate regulation

Respiration and Gas Transport Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the following information and answer the given question.

Seema’s mother was working in the kitchen. Seema came inside and started cutting vegetables with a sharp knife. Her mother stopped her from using a knife but she dint agreed. Suddenly she got a cut on her finger and it started bleeding. After 2 or 3 minutes the bleeding stopped.

Which of the following is not a constituent of blood?

  1. Red blood cells

  2. White blood cells

  3. Platelets

  4. Gastric juice
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Gastric juice is not a constituent of blood.

Multiple choice

RBCs have the quality to change themselves according to the surrounding conditions. When a person ascends to high altitudes, what changes occur in red blood cells?

  1. Increase in size

  2. Increase in number

  3. Decrease in size

  4. Decrease in number

  5. -
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

At high altitude, RBCs of human blood increase in number to accommodate larger amount of haemoglobin for the increased uptake of oxygen, which is present in lesser amounts at higher altitudes.

Multiple choice

Carbon monoxide is usually found in lesser amounts and is more harmful than carbon dioxide because

  1. it reacts more quickly with UV rays

  2. it has more affinity for haemoglobin

  3. it has lesser affinity for haemoglobin

  4. it cannot compete with oxygen

  5. -
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Carbon monoxide is more harmful than carbon dioxide as it combines more readily with haemoglobin than carbon dioxide. Hence, it does not allow oxygen to combine with haemoglobin.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

  1. Plasma transports food, carbon dioxide and nitrogenous waste.

  2. Red blood cells transport oxygen.

  3. Plasma is a fluid medium that transports salts.

  4. WBCs help in clotting of blood.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

WBCs help protect the body from infection and kill harmful microbes. Platelets help in clotting the blood, so as to prevent the body from excess loss of blood during an injury.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements concerning erythropoietin is true?

  1. Erythropoietin is a protein.

  2. Hypoxia (a low level of oxygen) inhibits erythropoietin production.

  3. Most erythropoietin is made in the pancreas in adults.

  4. Erythropoietin stimulates white blood cell production.

  5. Erythropoietin detects hypoxia easily.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone that controls erythropoiesis, or red blood cell production.

Multiple choice

Considering acid-base regulation in the body, which of the following statements are true?

  1. Overall human metabolism results in acid production.

  2. Buffers must be strong acids or bases.

  3. Carbon dioxide directly raises the pH of body fluids.

  4. The pH of a buffer solution is always 7.0.

  5. A decrease in the plasma level of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) will directly raise the pH of plasma.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Overall, the body is a net producer of acid and a major function of the kidney is to excrete this acid load. A large change in body pH cannot be tolerated as it will have adverse effects on cellular function.

Multiple choice

Nitrogen in air

  1. is essential for the body

  2. dilutes oxygen which, otherwise, is very active in the pure form

  3. makes oxygen soluble in blood

  4. decreases the density of air
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Nitrogen makes up about 78 percent of the atmosphere. Its presence dilutes oxygen, which is highly reactive, preventing fires from spreading too quickly and protecting biological tissues from oxygen toxicity.