MCQ Detailed View

Smoking affects the lungs and respiratory system in multiple harmful ways. One of the most common respiratory problems in smokers is emphysema. Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that damages the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli, which are responsible for gas exchange—bringing oxygen into the blood and removing carbon dioxide.

When a person smokes, the chemicals in tobacco smoke, such as nicotine and tar, irritate the lung tissues. Over time, this irritation causes the alveoli walls to weaken and break down, reducing the surface area for gas exchange. This makes it harder for smokers to breathe and results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic coughing, and wheezing.

Other respiratory problems like tuberculosis and asthma can occur in smokers, but they are not directly caused by smoking. Cancer, especially lung cancer, is another serious risk associated with smoking, but in terms of chronic respiratory problems, emphysema is the most common and directly linked to smoking habits.

Understanding emphysema is part of human biology, particularly the study of the respiratory system and lung health. The disease is progressive and can severely affect quality of life. Smoking cessation is the most effective way to prevent emphysema and maintain healthy lungs.

This concept also highlights how lifestyle choices impact biological systems. Chronic exposure to harmful substances like tobacco leads to long-term damage in organs such as the lungs, showing the importance of protecting the respiratory system for overall health.