NEET-UG Biology · Class 11
Pressure changes that drive inspiration and expiration — NEET & JEE Questions
Pressure changes that drive inspiration and expiration is a topic in Breathing and Exchange of Gases, a Class 11 Biology chapter of the NEET-UG syllabus. TestBudy holds 14 published NEET-UG questions on Pressure changes that drive inspiration and expiration, each with the marking scheme of the real paper. The ideas it examines include Muscles used in breathing in vs out, Pressure inside lungs during breathing in and out, Why normal breathing out needs no effort.
- questions
- 14
- shown here
- 10
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Key formulas and concepts
The ideas Pressure changes that drive inspiration and expiration is examined on, as they are tagged in the syllabus tree.
- Muscles used in breathing in vs out
- Pressure inside lungs during breathing in and out
- Why normal breathing out needs no effort
Pressure changes that drive inspiration and expiration MCQs with solutions
10 of the 14 published questions on this topic, exactly as they appear in a test. Answers and worked solutions come with your result rather than on this page.
During normal quiet inspiration in a healthy adult, which combination of muscle activity occurs?
- A. The diaphragm contracts and the external intercostal muscles contract
- B. The diaphragm relaxes and the internal intercostal muscles contract
- C. The diaphragm contracts and the internal intercostal muscles contract
- D. The diaphragm relaxes and the external intercostal muscles relax
What happens to the diaphragm during normal inspiration?
- A. It relaxes and becomes more dome-shaped
- B. It contracts and flattens
- C. It closes the glottis
- D. It compresses the lungs directly
During quiet expiration the diaphragm mainly:
- A. contracts strongly
- B. remains permanently flattened
- C. moves downward actively
- D. relaxes
During quiet inspiration intrapulmonary pressure becomes:
- A. zero absolute pressure
- B. slightly lower than atmospheric pressure
- C. equal to venous pressure
- D. higher than atmospheric pressure
During quiet inspiration the diaphragm:
- A. contracts and reduces thoracic volume
- B. relaxes and becomes more dome-shaped
- C. does not move
- D. contracts and flattens
Why does air enter the lungs during inspiration?
- A. Atmospheric pressure becomes zero
- B. Intrapulmonary pressure rises above atmospheric pressure
- C. Intrapulmonary pressure falls below atmospheric pressure
- D. The lungs actively pump air inward
During quiet inspiration, the external intercostal muscles contract. What is the immediate mechanical effect?
- A. Intrapulmonary pressure rises above atmospheric pressure
- B. The ribs move inward and thoracic volume falls
- C. The diaphragm relaxes and abdominal pressure disappears
- D. The ribs and sternum move upward and outward, increasing thoracic volume
A person's thoracic cavity increases in volume while intrapulmonary pressure becomes slightly lower than atmospheric pressure. Which event should follow?
- A. Air flows into the lungs
- B. Air flows out of the lungs
- C. No air movement occurs
- D. The lungs collapse immediately
During quiet inspiration, contraction of the diaphragm causes thoracic volume to
- A. increase, lowering intrapulmonary pressure below atmospheric pressure
- B. decrease, raising intrapulmonary pressure
- C. remain unchanged
- D. increase while intrapulmonary pressure rises above atmospheric pressure
During quiet expiration, air normally leaves the lungs because
- A. elastic recoil reduces lung volume and raises intrapulmonary pressure above atmospheric pressure
- B. the diaphragm contracts more strongly
- C. intrapulmonary pressure falls below atmospheric pressure
- D. oxygen actively pumps air outward
Common mistakes in Pressure changes that drive inspiration and expiration
Recorded against questions in this topic that are not shown above, so none of these points at an answer you can see on this page.
- Confusing ventilation mechanics with gas transport in blood.
- Assumes breathing airflow continues without a pressure gradient.
- Assumes pleural air improves lung expansion rather than disrupting it.
- Confuses inspiratory rib elevation with expiratory thoracic compression.
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