Why does smoking affect lung capacity?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

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

Answer 6

by making our bones and muscles damage.