Question

explain how smoking damages the respiratory system and name two conditions that can develop when a person smokes.

Explanation:

Smoking damages the respiratory system in several ways. First, the chemicals in cigarettes (like tar) coat the cilia (tiny hair - like structures in the respiratory tract) and paralyze or destroy them. Cilia are important for moving mucus (which traps dust, bacteria, etc.) out of the lungs. Without properly functioning cilia, mucus accumulates, and bacteria can thrive, increasing the risk of infections. Second, smoking causes inflammation in the airways. Over time, this inflammation can lead to the destruction of the alveoli (tiny air - sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs).

Two conditions that can develop are:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This includes chronic bronchitis (inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes) and emphysema (destruction of alveoli). Symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, and excessive mucus production.
• Lung cancer: The carcinogens in cigarette smoke can damage the DNA of lung cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth (tumor formation).

Answer:

Smoking damages the respiratory system by paralyzing/destroying cilia (impairing mucus clearance) and causing airway inflammation (damaging alveoli). Two conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Lung cancer.