answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

One of the main constituents of cigarettes is tar. This can eventually end up in smokers' lungs, which then leads to blockages. The surface area of the lungs is then greatly diminished, resulting in a decreased lung capacity for gas exchange to take place.When this is in your lungs it makes your lung capacity even worse.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
Study guides

HIV and AIDS

10 cards

What is divided by a septum

What type of trait prevents the other type from being seen

Hiv can be found in all body fluids

Antibiotics can kill viruses

➡️
See all cards
3.83
6 Reviews
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

One of the mechanisms is that:

Alpha 1 antitrypsin (an alpha 1 globulin) normally inhibits proteases and thus elastases also. Normally; due to negative control on elastases, elastic component of lungs is maintained with proper physical characteristics. The compound does it so by binding with proteases through amino acid methionine at 358 position in its chain.

In a smoker; the methionine is oxidised to methionine sulfoxidase; which cannot bind to proteases. As inhibition is released, elastic components of lung start degrading by action of these enzymes. Thus, smoker gets emphysema or other disorders and it causes decrease in vital capacity as distensibility (compliance/stretchability) decreases. Smokers with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency have a worse condition.

Smoking destroys alveoli and capillaries therefore not as much oxygen can be absorbed by the lungs/body.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

It clogs your lungs up with the harmful smoke so the more you smoke, the blacker your lungs become, you can compare a smokers lungs to a person who doesn't smoke and you'll clearly see the picture.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

yes, smoking does affect your lung capacity. because when you smoke the cilia in your lungs disappears causing mucus and infection.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Smoking-Damage-the-Lung-and-Brain&id=1754802 :)

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

by making our bones and muscles damage.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why does smoking affect lung capacity?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp