AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
The rings of cartilage in the throat (trachea) keep the airway from collapsing, ensuring the passage remains open so that air can flow freely into the lungs at all times.
Though not explicitly detailed in the given passages, this is standard NCERT Class 10 Biology content (Life Processes, Chapter 6). Examiners expect students to state two key points in one line: (1) the rings prevent collapse of the trachea, and (2) they ensure a continuous, unobstructed air passage. Avoid writing a lengthy answer — one clear sentence is sufficient for 1 mark.