Pollution and smoking

Question 1

Exposure to pollution and smoking are well-known risk factors in relation to

Answer 1

lung disease

Question 2

Environmental pollution sources include the

Answer 2

burning of fossil fuels and car exhaust fumes
Exposure to pollution can be very difficult to avoid in modern society, especially for those living in more urban areas

Question 3

Smoking
Chemicals in cigarettes include

Answer 3

Tar – a carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer)

Nicotine – an addictive substance which narrows blood vessels

Carbon monoxide – reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood

Question 4

Effects on air passages:
Tar destroys the…

which cause

Answer 4

cilia (which carry dust and microbes trapped by mucus away from the lungs), causing the buildup of mucus and potentially leading to bronchitis as the lining of the bronchi become irritated

Question 5

Effects on alveoli:
Tar contributes to the break down of the walls of the alveoli, causing them to

This creates an insufficient …………, allowing less gas exchange

This reduces the efficiency of gas exchange, causing emphysema where

Tar can also build up and form a layer on top of the alveolar cells which can increase

Answer 5

merge together

surface area to volume ratio

less oxygen is carried in blood (making exercise difficult)

the diffusion distance for gas exchange