Impacts of lifestyle on the respiratory system

Question 1

What are the main 2 things that will affect the respiratory system?

Answer 1

• Lack of exercise/ poor diet.
• Smoking.

Question 2

Lack of exercise

Answer 2

Having a lack of exercise in your life will lead to:

1. A reduced cardiovascular endurance.
2. An inefficient gaseous exchange.

Question 3

Smoking (pt.1)

Answer 3

1. Damages the cells lining the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles.
   
   • Cilia (tiny, hair-like cells that brush mucus away).
   • This leads to excess mucus- smoker’s cough.
2. Breaks down alveolar walls
   
   • This reduces the efficiency of gaseous exchange.
   • i.e two air sacs become one.

Question 4

Smoking (pt.2)

Answer 4

3. Oxygen transport affected
   
   • Carbon monoxide from cigarettes combines with haemoglobin in red blood cells more readily than oxygen.
   • Reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.

Overall result:
= Reduced stamina/ cardio-respiratory endurance.