Understanding the Respiratory System and Effects of Smoking

The Path of Air The Lungs- main organs of the respiratory system. Alveoli- grape-like structures Where gas exchange happens. Increase surface area in lungs. Gas Exchange After air enters alveolus, oxygen passes through the wall of the alveolus and then through the capillary wall into the blood. Carbon dioxide and water pass from the blood into the alveoli, then leave the body.

- The Respiratory System Gas Exchange

How You Breathe In an average day, you may breathe over 20,000 times. Breathing is controlled by muscles. Diaphragm- dome-shaped muscle that helps you breathe. Muscles of rib cage also help you breathe.

- The Respiratory System How You Breathe

Breathing and Speaking Larynx- voice box Vocal Cords- vibrate to make sounds.

Chemicals in Tobacco Smoke Tar- dark, sticky substance (forms when tobacco burns). - Sticks to cilia and causes them not to function, also causes cancer Carbon Monoxide- released when tobacco burns. - Clings to hemoglobin and reduces oxygen delivered to cells - Smokers have higher respiration rates to get oxygen required by body

Chemicals in Tobacco Smoke Nicotine- found in tobacco - stimulant that speeds up nervous system and heart rate Smokers get addicted to nicotine

Health Problems & Smoking Smokers are at high risk of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, and atherosclerosis Bronchitis- inflammation of bronchioles, makes breathing difficult Emphysema- destroys lung tissue and makes breathing difficult, not enough oxygen delivered to cells, sufferers are short of breath

Health Problems & Smoking Lung Cancer- kills about 140,000 smokers a year - tumors take up surface area in lungs, makes breathing harder and less efficient Atherosclerosis- chemicals from lungs enter circulatory system and destroy blood vessels - smokers are 2 times more likely to have heart attacks than non smokers

- Smoking and Your Health Health Problems & Smoking