alleryStart learning →Why does cold weather commonly produce a runny nose?
ACold air thickens the mucus made by goblet cells
BCold air slows the cilia so mucus accumulates
CCold air widens the capillaries under the nose
DCold air stops the sinuses draining into the nose
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Cold air slows the cilia so mucus accumulates
1. Cilia on the respiratory epithelium beat constantly and sweep mucus toward the throat to be swallowed.
2. Cold air slows that beating motion.
3. With clearance slowed, mucus accumulates in the nasal cavity and runs out, so the second option is correct.
4. Capillary warming of air by convection happens in the nose but is not the stated cause of the runny nose, so the third option is a distractor.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 22 "The Respiratory System", section 22.1 Organs and Structures of the Respiratory System_
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