A Level Biology Practice Exam

What is the primary function of a spirometer?

1. To measure blood pressure

2. To measure the movement of air into and out of the lungs

3. To analyze blood gas levels

4. To monitor heart rate

The correct answer is: To measure the movement of air into and out of the lungs

The primary function of a spirometer is to measure the movement of air into and out of the lungs. This device is vital in assessing respiratory health as it quantifies various lung volumes and capacities, helping to diagnose and monitor conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other disorders that affect breathing. By providing data on the amount of air an individual can inhale and exhale, as well as the rate of airflow during these processes, a spirometer assists healthcare professionals in evaluating lung function and respiratory efficiency. Other choices refer to different physiological measurements: blood pressure relates to cardiovascular health, blood gas analysis is focused on the composition of gases in the blood, particularly oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and monitoring heart rate pertains to cardiac function. Each of these has its own specific tools and methods, but they do not pertain directly to the function of measuring air movement in the lungs, which is the primary role of a spirometer.