NEET Breathing and Exchange of Gases PYQs & Practice Questions

10 free NEET Biology questions on Breathing and Exchange of Gases, starting with previous year questions (2016–2026). Tap “Show answer” to check each one. No login needed.

Topics: Direct Respiration in Insects · Effect of Chest Puncture (Pneumothorax) · Carbon Monoxide Poisoning · Mechanics of Inspiration and Expiration · Vital Capacity · Factors Affecting Oxygen-Haemoglobin Binding · Respiratory Centres in the Brain · Dissociation of Carbaminohaemoglobin · Measurement of Breathing Volumes · Oxygen-Haemoglobin Dissociation Curve Shift · Pulmonary Volumes and Capacities · Oxyhaemoglobin Formation Factors

1. Q1NEET 2026Correct sequence of steps in human respiration

   In humans, respiration occurs in the following steps. Arrange these steps in the correct order: A. Diffusion of O2 and CO2 between blood and tissues. B. Diffusion of O2 across alveolar membrane. C. Pulmonary ventilation by which atmospheric air is drawn in and CO2 rich alveolar air is released out. D. Cellular respiration. E. Transport of gases by the blood.

   • A. A, B, C, D, E
   • B. C, A, B, E, D
   • C. A, B, E, C, D
   • D. E, A, C, D, B
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   Answer: B — C, A, B, E, D

   Sequence: pulmonary ventilation (C) → diffusion of gases across alveolar membrane (B) → transport of gases by blood (E) → diffusion between blood and tissues (A) → cellular respiration (D): C, B, E, A, D.

2. Q2NEET 2026Matching respiratory volume to capacity

   Match List I with List II: List I (Respiratory Volume) — A. ERV (Expiratory Reserve Volume), B. RV (Residual Volume), C. IRV (Inspiratory Reserve Volume), D. TV (Tidal Volume). List II (Capacity in mL) — I. 2500-3000 mL, II. 500 mL, III. 1000-1100 mL, IV. 1100-1200 mL.

   • A. A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
   • B. A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II
   • C. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
   • D. A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
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   Answer: —

   ERV is about 1000-1100 mL (III); RV is about 1100-1200 mL (IV); IRV is about 2500-3000 mL (I); TV is about 500 mL (II). A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II.

3. Q3NEET 2024Pulmonary Volumes and Capacities

   Match List I with List II. List I: (A) Expiratory Capacity (B) Functional residual capacity (C) Vital capacity (D) Inspiratory capacity List II: (I) Expiratory reserve volume + Tidal volume + inspiratory reserve Volume (II) Tidal volume + Expiratory reserve volume (III) Tidal volume + Inspiratory reserve volume (IV) Expiratory reserve volume + residual volume Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

   • A. A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
   • B. A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
   • C. A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
   • D. A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I
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   Answer: B — A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV

   Expiratory capacity = Tidal volume + Expiratory reserve volume (A-II). Functional residual capacity = Expiratory reserve volume + residual volume (B-IV). Vital capacity = Expiratory reserve volume + Tidal volume + Inspiratory reserve volume (C-I). Inspiratory capacity = Tidal volume + Inspiratory reserve volume (D-III). So A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III is correct.

4. Q4NEET 2024Oxyhaemoglobin Formation Factors

   Which of the following factors are favourable for the formation of oxyhaemoglobin in alveoli?

   • A. Low pCO2 and High H+ concentration
   • B. Low pCO2 and High temperature
   • C. High pO2 and High pCO2
   • D. High pO2 and Lesser H+ concentration
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   Answer: C — High pO2 and High pCO2

   Oxyhaemoglobin formation is favoured by high pO2, low pCO2, lesser H+ concentration, and lower temperature — conditions present in the alveoli. These factors shift the oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve to favor oxygen binding.

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5. Q5NEET 2023Lung Volumes and Capacities - Vital Capacity

   Vital capacity of lung is ____________.

   • A. IRV + ERV + TV + RV
   • B. IRV + ERV + TV - RV
   • C. IRV + ERV + TV
   • D. IRV + ERV
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   Answer: B — IRV + ERV + TV - RV

   Vital capacity is the maximum volume of air a person can breathe out after a maximal inspiration, and is calculated as IRV (Inspiratory Reserve Volume) + ERV (Expiratory Reserve Volume) + TV (Tidal Volume).

6. Q6NEET 2022Functions of Conducting Part of Respiratory System

   Which of the following is not the function of conduction part of respiratory system?

   • A. Inhaled air is humidified
   • B. Temperature of inhaled air is brought to body temperature
   • C. Provides surface for diffusion of O₂ and CO₂
   • D. It clears inhaled air from foreign particles
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   Answer: B — Temperature of inhaled air is brought to body temperature

   The conducting part (nose to terminal bronchioles) humidifies, warms, and filters inhaled air, but does not provide surface for gaseous exchange — that is the function of the respiratory/exchange part (alveoli).

7. Q7NEET 2022Respiratory system structure

   Which of the following is not the function of conducting part of respiratory system?

   • A. It clears inhaled air from foreign particles
   • B. Inhaled air is humidified
   • C. Temperature of inhaled air is brought to body temperature
   • D. Provides surface for diffusion of O2 and CO2
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   Answer: C — Temperature of inhaled air is brought to body temperature

   The conducting part (nostrils to terminal bronchioles) only transports, cleans, humidifies and warms air. Gas diffusion occurs in the respiratory part (alveoli), not the conducting part.

8. Q8NEET 2022Tissue types in respiratory structures

   Match List-I with List-II: List-I: (a) Bronchioles (b) Goblet Cell (c) Tendons (d) Adipose Tissue. List-II: (i) Dense Regular Connective Tissue (ii) Loose Connective Tissue (iii) Glandular Tissue (iv) Ciliated Epithelium. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

   • A. (a) - (iv), (b) - (iii), (c) - (i), (d) - (ii)
   • B. (a) - (i), (b) - (ii), (c) - (iii), (d) - (iv)
   • C. (a) - (ii), (b) - (i), (c) - (iv), (d) - (iii)
   • D. (a) - (iii), (b) - (iv), (c) - (ii), (d) - (i)
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   Answer: —

   Bronchioles are lined with ciliated epithelium, goblet cells are glandular (secretory) tissue, tendons are made of dense regular connective tissue, and adipose tissue is a type of loose connective tissue, matching (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii).

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9. Q9NEET 2021Oxyhaemoglobin Formation

   Select the favourable conditions required for the formation of oxyhaemoglobin at the alveoli.

   • A. Low pO2, low pCO2, more H+, higher temperature
   • B. High pO2, low pCO2, less H+, lower temperature
   • C. Low pO2, high pCO2, more H+, higher temperature
   • D. High pO2, high pCO2, less H+, higher temperature
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   Answer: A — Low pO2, low pCO2, more H+, higher temperature

   Oxyhaemoglobin formation at alveoli is favoured by high pO2, low pCO2, less H+ concentration, and lower temperature — opposite conditions favour oxygen release at tissues (Bohr effect).

10. Q10NEET 2021Partial Pressures at Alveoli

    The partial pressures (in mm Hg) of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) at alveoli (the site of diffusion) are:

    • A. pO2 = 159 and pCO2 = 0.3
    • B. pO2 = 104 and pCO2 = 40
    • C. pO2 = 40 and pCO2 = 45
    • D. pO2 = 95 and pCO2 = 40
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    Answer: A — pO2 = 159 and pCO2 = 0.3

    At the alveoli, the partial pressure of O2 is about 104 mm Hg and partial pressure of CO2 is about 40 mm Hg.