Effects of Smoking

Question 1

what is the name of the highly addictive drug in tobacco smoke?

Answer 1

nicotine

Question 2

what are carcinogens?

Answer 2

chemicals which can alter the DNA and increase the risk of cancer (rapid, uncontrolled cell growth) e.g. tar

Question 3

what are the bad effects of carbon monoxide in smoking?

Answer 3

it irreversibly binds to the haemoglobin, forming carboxyhaemoglobin, and so reducing the amount of oxygen transported by the blood
- if a pregnant person smokes, the baby will receive less oxygen and as a result is likely to weight less at birth

Question 4

what does chemicals in tobacco do to cilia?

Answer 4

• they destroy cilia, reducing their number
• this increases mucus production in response to the smoke
• as the mucus cannot be moved out quickly, it builds up causing smokers cough and increasing risk of infection

Question 5

what cancer is mostly associated with smoking?

Answer 5

lung cancer

Question 6

what is bronchitis?

Answer 6

a disease resulting from the build up of infected mucus in the bronchi and bronchioles

Question 7

what is emphysema?

Answer 7

• when smoke reaches the alveoli, damaging them
• the alveoli walls break down in places and fuse together forming larger irregular air spaces
• this decreases surface area for gas exchange, so less oxygen diffuses into the blood

Question 8

how many carcinogens are there in tobacco smoke?

Answer 8

at least 17