Biology – The gas exchange system | e-Consult

A student is presented with a microscope slide showing a cross-section of the respiratory tract. The slide is stained, and the student is asked to identify the different structural components. Which of the following statements accurately describes the key features that would allow for the identification of a trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli under a microscope? Select all that apply.

1. The trachea will exhibit a cartilaginous ring structure, providing support and preventing collapse.
2. Bronchi will have a smooth, continuous epithelial lining, lacking cartilage.
3. Bronchioles will possess a significantly reduced amount of cartilage compared to bronchi, and their epithelial lining will be thinner.
4. Alveoli are thin-walled, sac-like structures, often appearing as clusters of small, spherical sacs in the lung tissue.
5. The epithelial lining of the trachea and bronchi will be pseudostratified columnar epithelium with cilia and goblet cells.