- Joined
- Jan 19, 2012
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- Reaction score
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- Pre-Medical
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I'm not entirely sure about this question... the passage states that:
"The hairs of the nose typically filter out particles larger than 15 um (micrometers) in diameter. Particles larger than 5 um that reach the air passages of the lungs are trapped in the sticky mucus that lines the respiratory tract. Cilia move the mucus and trapped particles upward toward the pharynx at a rate of about 1cm/min."
The question is:
Which on would LEAST likely influence the risk of developing lung infections in a person who smokes?
A. Reduced numbers of hairs in the nasal passages
B. Decreased life span of sensory cells in the nasal passages
(C/D are obviously wrong)
Correct answer is B.
Why isn't A the answer? I understand that sensory cells likely don't play much of a role, but I figured that decreased hair would just allow mucus to trap the particles that got through there, especially since the passage said specifically that "Particles larger than 5 um that reach the air passages of the lungs are trapped in the sticky mucus.." I also figured sensory cells might be involved in triggering sneezing, though it seemed like a doubtful answer since they probably are meant mainly for smell.
Any tips for avoiding such reasoning on the actual test? I recently started to focus more on passage info when available and my score has gone up as a result, but how can you tell when passage material is leading you to a wrong answer?
"The hairs of the nose typically filter out particles larger than 15 um (micrometers) in diameter. Particles larger than 5 um that reach the air passages of the lungs are trapped in the sticky mucus that lines the respiratory tract. Cilia move the mucus and trapped particles upward toward the pharynx at a rate of about 1cm/min."
The question is:
Which on would LEAST likely influence the risk of developing lung infections in a person who smokes?
A. Reduced numbers of hairs in the nasal passages
B. Decreased life span of sensory cells in the nasal passages
(C/D are obviously wrong)
Correct answer is B.
Why isn't A the answer? I understand that sensory cells likely don't play much of a role, but I figured that decreased hair would just allow mucus to trap the particles that got through there, especially since the passage said specifically that "Particles larger than 5 um that reach the air passages of the lungs are trapped in the sticky mucus.." I also figured sensory cells might be involved in triggering sneezing, though it seemed like a doubtful answer since they probably are meant mainly for smell.
Any tips for avoiding such reasoning on the actual test? I recently started to focus more on passage info when available and my score has gone up as a result, but how can you tell when passage material is leading you to a wrong answer?
