Chapter 18.1 Effects of Smoke on the Respiratory System Part 2 pages 417-419
Hemoglobin has 4 separate protein chains. Each protein chain has a single iron atom (Fe 3+ ). Each iron atom can bind to a single oxygen molecule (O 2 ). One red blood cell has 250 million hemoglobin molecules. One red blood cell can carry 1 billion oxygen atoms. Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin and Oxygen Hemoglobin picks up oxygen effectively. Where oxygen levels are low and carbon dioxide production is high, hemoglobin releases oxygen molecules. Red blood cells pick up oxygen in the lungs and drop off the oxygen in other parts of the body.
Hemoglobin and Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide comes from smoking. Hemoglobin picks up carbon monoxide 200x more strongly than oxygen. Hemoglobin releases carbon dioxide very very slowly. Therefore, there is not enough hemoglobin to pick up oxygen. This can cause low level of oxygen in body tissues, and can damage tissues and organs.
Carbon Monoxide Embryos and Fetuses Carbon monoxide can cause damage to developing embryos and fetuses. They are not getting enough oxygen from their mother's blood supply. The birth weight of babies born to mothers who are active smokers are lower than average. There is some evidence from animal studies that long-term exposure to carbon monoxide can cause diminished brain function in infants and children.
Smoke Particles and Lung Function
Bronchitis Particles in tobacco smoke can: increase the production of mucus and damage the cilia lining the bronchi making it difficult to expel these particles. This damage can cause inflammation of the bronchi or bronchitis. Active smokers can develop chronic bronchitis, which can become a lasting cough, as more mucus is produced by inflammation.
Particulates from tobacco smoke can worsen asthma. Asthma is an allergic response that results in muscular constriction of bronchial walls and an overproduction of mucus. Acute asthma consists of a wheezing sound during breathing. The number of asthma caused by ETS among children, in the United States, is about 26000 per year. Asthma
Emphysema Scar tissue is found in the lungs, which permanently blocks bronchi. Inflammation causes damage to alveoli walls, causing many small alveoli to join and make fewer larger air sacs. The air sacs become surrounded by thick scar tissue. This interferes with gas exchange.
Emphysema Lungs are less elastic, which means exhalation is ineffective. As dead air remains in the lungs, the size of the chest increases. A barrel-shaped chest is a sign of emphysema.
Emphysema Emphysema is permanent and irreversible because alveoli cannot be regenerated. Individuals with emphysema are chronically short of breath and unable to participate in vigorous activity. Individuals with emphysema need supplemental oxygen for activities of daily living. Non-smokers exposed to ETS have 30% to 60% higher chance of getting emphysema, asthma, and bronchitis when compared to non-smokers not exposed to ETS.
Lung Cancer Carcinogens from tobacco smoke cause lung cells to become cancer cells. This can happen many many years after smoking has stopped. Passive smokers have a 20 to 30% higher risk of lung cancer than unexposed non-smokers.
Questions 2 1. Hemoglobin has separate protein chains. 2. In hemoglobin, each iron atom can bind to a single molecule. 3. Hemoglobin picks up carbon monoxide more strongly than oxygen. 4. The birth weight of babies born to mothers who are active smokers are than average. 5. Particles in tobacco smoke can cause inflammation of the bronchus, or. 6. is an allergic response that results in muscular constriction of bronchial walls and an overproduction of mucus. 7. A chest is a sign of emphysema. 8. Emphysema is permanent and irreversible because cannot be regenerated. 9. Individuals with emphysema need supplemental for activities of daily living. 10. from tobacco smoke cause lung cells to become cancer cells. 11. Particles in tobacco smoke can increase the production of and damage the lining the bronchi. 12. In emphysema, is found in the lungs, which permanently blocks bronchi.