Q1)What is a chronic, obstructive pulmonary disease?

Q2)What is the difference between chronic bronchitis and emphysema?

A1) A disease caused by damage e.g. a blockage to the bronchioles and alveoli. These diseases are progressively disabling and long lasting.

A2) In chronic bronchitis, the airways are blocked by inflammation and infection. Tar stimulates goblet cells and mucus glands to enlarge, producing more mucus. It also destroys the cilia, inhibiting the cleaning of the airways and mucus builds up blocking, the smallest bronchioles.

In emphysema, the alveoli are destroyed reducing the surface area for gaseous exchange. Due to constant infection, phagocytes are attracted to the lungs where they release elastase- and enzyme that breaks down the elastin alveolar walls, to enable them to reach the surface where the bacteria are. Without adequate elastin, the alveoli cannot stretch and may burst!

What 3 main chemicals does tobacco smoke contain?

1. tar
2. carbon monoxide
3. nicotene[image]

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Q1)What does tar contain that is bad for us?

Q2)What other effects does tar have on the respiratory tract?

A1)Tar contains carcinogens which cause changes in DNA in bronchial epithelial cells leading to the developement of brochial carcinoma (lung cancer)

A2) Tar burns the cilia off the epithelial cells lining the respiratory system. It also encourages the growth of goblet cells, so they secrete more mucus. This can lead to chronic bronchitis and "smokers cough".

Q1) What effect does nicotene have on the nervous system.

Q2) What effect does nicotene have on the blood?

A1)Nicotene stimulates the nervous system. It causes the release of adrenaline which increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It also stimulates the nervous system to reduce the diameter of the arterioles, decreasing the blood supply to the extremities.

A2) Nicotene increases the stickiness and prompts abnormal clotting of the blood.