Chapter 7.3 Smoking and the risk of disease

Question 1

What diseases can smoking cause?

Answer 1

Smoking can cause cardiovascular disease including coronary heart disease, lung cancer, and lung diseases such as bronchitis.

Question 2

Name three components of tobacco smoke.

Answer 2

Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and nitrogen oxides

Question 3

What affects does hydrogen cyanide(HCN) have on the human body?

Answer 3

Acute exposure to HCN can result in symptoms such as weakness, headache, confusion, vertigo, dyspnea and, occasionally, nausea and vomiting. Respiratory rate and depth usually increase at the onset, and will eventually cause the victim to gasp for breath.

Question 4

What affects does carbon monoxide (CO) have on the human body?

Answer 4

Increased levels of carbon monoxide reduce the amount of oxygen carried by haemoglobin around the body in red blood cells. The result is that vital organs, such as the brain, nervous tissues and the heart, do not receive enough oxygen to work properly.

Question 5

What is the definition of a causal mechanism?

Answer 5

The processes or pathways through which an outcome is brought into being.

Question 6

Why is smoking during pregnancy harmful?

Answer 6

Reduced oxygen supply due to carbon monoxide and nicotine. retarded growth and development. increased risk of cleft lip and cleft palate. decreased fetal movements in the womb for at least an hour after smoking one cigarette.