10 which of the following is not a trend we find within the respiratory tract? a. The epithelium gets progressively shorter in the lower passages. b. The amount of hyaline cartilage gradually increases as we move to smaller passages c. The amount of smooth muscle increases in the smaller passages. d. The amount of elastic fibers increases in the smaller passages

The correct answer is b. The amount of hyaline cartilage gradually increases as we move to smaller passages.<br /><br />In the respiratory tract, the amount of hyaline cartilage actually decreases as we move to smaller passages. The larger airways, such as the trachea and bronchi, contain more cartilage to provide structural support and maintain an open airway. As the airways become smaller and branch into the bronchioles, the amount of cartilage decreases, and the airways become more flexible due to the presence of more smooth muscle and elastic fibers.